Asymmetric synthesis of (E)-dehydroapratoxin A

An asymmetric approach to key intermediate 17 starting from lactone 7 is described, in which Evan’s alkylation and CBS-catalyzed reduction are used for construction of the chiral centers, respectively. Thus, the synthesis of (E)-dehydroapratoxin A 6 could be accomplished in a general fashion, therein FDPP has been proven as an efficient condensation reagent for the coupling of amine 25 and carboxylic acid 24.