An enantio- and stereocontrolled synthesis of (-)-mycestericin E via cinchona alkaloid-catalyzed asymmetric Baylis-Hillman reaction.

A new enantiocontrolled synthesis of a potent immunosuppressant(-)-mycestericin E has been accomplished by using cinchona alkaloid-catalyzed asymmetric Baylis-Hillman reaction of an aldehyde with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate and Lewis acid-promoted cyclisation of an epoxytrichloroacetimidate as the key steps.