First total synthesis of salinipyrone A using highly stereoselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction

A synthetic approach for the total synthesis of salinipyrone A has been developed. Key steps involve the TiCl4-mediated vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction (VMAR) of chiral ketene silyl N,O-acetal with propionaldyhyde, an aldol condensation, Witting olefination, and a cyclization. The synthesis proceeds in eight steps.