A short and efficient total synthesis of cytotoxic natural (+)-varitriol
has been accomplished in eight steps from γ-d-ribonolactone
and 2,3-dimethylanisole in 41% overall yield. The key features
include a highly stereoselective introduction of methyl at a carbonyl
group and installation of the side chain with the aromatic portion
by Julia-Kocieński olefination at C5 of the starting
carbon skeleton.
natural products - varitriol - stereoselective
synthesis - diastereoselectivity - chiral pool