Total Synthesis of (R)-Argentilactone and (R)-Goniothalamin Using a Free-Radical Photoredox Approach to α,β-Unsaturated δ-Lactones

alpha,beta-Unsaturated delta-lactones are structural motifs found in diverse pharmacologically active natural products. In fact, the unsaturated lactone is often responsible for the biological activity. Herein, we report a new approach for the syntheses of (R)-argentilactone and (R)-goniothalamin based on a photoredox intermolecular iodolactonization mediated by a photoredox process. This new approach, already employed in our research group, stands as a new methodology to achieve several natural products containing alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactones.

Automated summary

The new synthesis approach, based on photoredox catalysis, can be used to synthesize various natural products containing α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones.