Total synthesis of (+)-cardiobutanolide through a carbohydrate-based approach

Abstract

The naturally occurring styryllactone (+)-cardiobutanolide has been synthesized in a highly efficient manner using D-glucono-δ-lactone, as a chiral pool starting material. The synthesis involves the stereoselective addition of Grignard reagent to a chiral aldehyde, zinc-mediated reductive deoxygenation of 4-alkoxybut- 2-enoic acid moiety and asymmetric dihydroxylation as the key steps.