Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-VM55599: Establishment of the absolute stereochemistry and biogenetic implications

The first asymmetric biomimetic total synthesis of VM55599 (13) has been achieved utilizing an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition as a key step. The synthetic material was utilized to elucidate the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product The results are discussed in terms of a unified biogenesis of the paraherquamides and VM55599.