Enantiospecific syntheses of (+)- and (–)-altholactone (goniothalenol)

Abstract

(+)-Altholactone (1) and its enantiomer (2) have been synthesised from D-gulonolactone and D-mannose, respectively, with stereocontrolled reduction (Et3SiH/BF3·Et2O) of the lactols (4) and (10) as a key step.