A novel approach toward the synthesis of strigolactones through intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes and ketene-iminiums to olefins. Application to the asymmetric synthesis of GR-24

An intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes and ketene-iminium was developed for the preparation of GR-24, a synthetic analogue of the family of strigolactone plant hormones. Excellent levels of regioselectivity and of chiral induction were obtained using a bulky chiral amine for the formation of the cyclobutanone and a subsequent regioselective Baeyer–Villiger afforded the tricyclic lactone core of (+)-GR-24.