Stereoselective synthesis of anamarine

A stereoselective synthesis of the naturally occurring, α,β-unsaturated lactone anamarine is described. The key step was a highly stereoselective aldol reaction of a protected erythrulose derivative with a chiral aldehyde. Another relevant step was an asymmetric aldehyde allylation with a chiral allylborane. The lactone ring was made by means of a ring-closing metathesis.