Stereoselective synthesis of (+)-secosyrin 1

A Chiron approach for the synthesis of (+)-secosyrin 1 from d-mannitol has been described. The key steps are a stereoselective Wittig reaction and an intramolecular Michael addition on the disubstituted butenolide, leading to a highly stereoselective formation of the tertiary chiral centre of (+)-secosyrin 1.