Synthesis of (–)-Muricatacin and (–)-(R,R)-L-Factor Involving an Organocatalytic Direct Vinylogous Aldol Reaction

Abstract

Concise syntheses of the polyketide natural product (–)-muricatacin and (–)-(R,R)-L-factor (natural product enantiomer) were achieved in four steps by employing an organocatalytic asymmetric direct vinylogous aldol reaction of γ-crotonolactone and suitable aliphatic aldehydes as the key step.