Carboalumination/Ni-catalyzed couplings. A short synthesis of verticipyrone

Verticipyrone (1) has been synthesized in six overall steps from commercially available ethyl-2-methylacetoacetate. This represents the first successful application of a modified Negishi carboalumination nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction to a chloromethylated pyrone. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.