Synthesis of gem-difluoromethylenated analogues of boronolide

The straightforward synthesis of four gem-difluoromethylenated analogues 4–7 of boronolide is described. The key steps of the synthesis include the concise preparation of the key intermediates 12a–b through the indium-mediated gem-difluoropropargylation of aldehyde 9 with the fluorine-containing building block 11 and the efficient construction of α,β-unsaturated-δ-lactones 15a–b via BAIB/TEMPO-procedure.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-boronolide

Boronolide was synthesized stereoselectively from hydroxyacetylfuran 5 and valeraldehyde 6 using a novel dizinc aldol catalyst. Ring closing metathesis provides the lactone ring. The synthesis requires 12 steps and proceeds in 26% overall yield. [reaction: see text]

A stereoselective synthesis of (+)-boronolide

A stereoselective synthesis of (+)-boronolide is described. The key steps involve a stereoselective reduction of an α-hydroxy ketone, allylation of an α-hydroxy aldehyde and a ring-closing olefin metathesis of a homoallylic alcohol derived acrylate ester utilizing Grubbs' catalyst.