Tandem reduction-chloroallylboration of esters: asymmetric synthesis of lamoxirene, the spermatozoid releasing and attracting pheromone of the laminariales (Phaeophyceae).

The asymmetric synthesis of all four stereoisomers of lamoxirene (cis-2-cyclohepta-2,5-dienyl-3-vinyloxirane), the spermatozoid-releasing and -attracting pheromone of the Laminariales (Phaeophyceae), is reported. Chiral ethyl cyclohepta-2,5-diene carboxylates, prepared by a divinylcyclopropane Cope rearrangement, were effectively alkylated by means of a novel tandem DIBAL-H reduction/asymmetric alpha-chloroallylboration using (Z)-gamma-chloroallyldiisopinocampheylboranes. The ensuing syn-alpha-chlorohydrins were transformed into the corresponding vinyloxiranes with DBU, providing all four isomers of the pheromone in good chemical and excellent optical yield (90-97% ee). Spermatozoid-release assays were conducted with the sympatrically growing species L. digitata, L. hyperborea, and L. saccharina and established (1'S,2R,3S)-1c as the most active isomer in all cases.