Protecting group directed ring-closing metathesis (RCM): the first total synthesis of an anti-malarial nonenolide

The first synthesis of a newly found naturally occurring anti-malarial nonenolide is described. A pivotal step in the synthesis is the ring-closing metathesis of a dienoic ester prepared by coupling an acid and alcohol that were stereoselectively synthesized from (S)-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone and 1,2-O-isopropylidene d-glyceraldehyde, respectively.