Total synthesis and elucidation of the absolute configuration of the diterpene tonantzitlolone

The first enantioselective total synthesis of tonantzitlolone, a novel 15-membered macrocyclic diterpene, utilized a Julia olefination, a highly selective, potassium enolate-based anti-Felkin aldol reaction, and an E-selective ring-closing metathesis as key C-C bond-forming steps. The absolute configuration of tonantzitlolone is established.