Stereoselective synthesis towards verbalactone and (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxy-5-decanolide

The stereoselective synthesis towards biologically active verbalactone and (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxy-5-decanolide has been described. The key functionalities are derived from a chiral-auxiliary mediated acetate aldol addition, an oxa-Michael reaction and a 1,3-syn-reduction. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.