De novo asymmetric syntheses of (+)-goniothalamin, (+)-goniothalamin oxide, and 7,8-bis-epi-goniothalamin using asymmetric allylations

A highly enantio- and diastereoselective approach to either enantiomer of (+)-goniothalamin, (+)-goniothalamin oxide, and 7,8-bis-epi-goniothalamin oxide has been developed from achiral cinnamyl alcohol or cinnamaldehyde. The asymmetry of the synthesis was installed by means of a Krische or Leighton allylation. The remaining stereochemistry was installed by a diastereoselective epoxidation.