Total synthesis of racemic, natural (+) and unnatural (−) scorzocreticin

The first total synthesis of racemic scorzocreticin and its pure enantiomers is described from readily available 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The key steps include Wittig olefination, asymmetric Me-CBS (Corey-Bakshi-Shibata) oxazaborolidine reduction, and improved Pd-catalyzed intramolecular lactonization reactions. Both the (S)-natural and (R)-unnatural enantiomers of scorzocreticin have been synthesized in excellent enantioselectivities (>99% and 99% ee, respectively). In addition, 1,10-phenanthroline, a bidentate N-ligand was employed in palladium-catalyzed intramolecular carbonylation/lactonization reaction for the construction of 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin ring.