The first asymmetric synthesis of a 4-aryl-substituted 5-carboxy-3,4-dihydropyridin-2-one derivative

A practical asymmetric synthesis of (S)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid is presented. The key transformations include meso-anhydride desymmetrization, selective formylation, and cyclization.