Total Synthesis of vallartanone A

Abstract

The research presented herein describes the first enantioselective total syntheses of vallartanone A and its (8R) epimer both starting with propanoic acid and isobutyraldehyde. The key steps involved a proline-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction and a second aldol reaction that proceeded with kinetic resolution. It is concluded that the absolute configuration of vallartanone A should be revised to (3S,4S,8S).