Enantioselective syntheses of candenatenins B and C using a chiral anthracene auxiliary

The asymmetric syntheses of two anticancer natural products, candenatenins B and C, are described, leading to a revision of the originally assigned stereochemistries. The syntheses follow a Diels–Alder/retro-Diels Alder strategy using a chiral anthracene auxiliary to access both targets with 90% ee. The inherent structural qualities of the auxiliary allow for both regio- and diastereoselective transformations.