All-catalytic, efficient, and asymmetric synthesis of alpha,omega-diheterofunctional reduced polypropionates via "one-pot" Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination-Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling tandem process.

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of stereochemically pure (>/=99% ee and >50/1 dr) alpha,omega-diheterofunctional reduced polypropionates has been developed. The essential features of the method are represented by the conversion of inexpensive styrene into 2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-pentanol (1) in 50% yield over two steps from styrene via Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination (ZACA) reaction in the presence of (NMI)2ZrCl2 and Pd-catalyzed vinylation of the in situ generated isoalkylalanes in the presence of Zn(OTf)2 and a catalytic amount of Pd(DPEphos)Cl2. This ZACA-Pd-catalyzed vinylation may be repeated as needed without purification. After the final ZACA reaction, oxidation with O2 provides alpha-hydroxy-omega-phenyl reduced polypropionates, which can be fully or partially purified by chromatography. After acetylation, Ru-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of the Ph ring, and reduction with BH3.THF, the second chromatographic purification provides stereoisomerically pure alpha,omega-diheterofunctional reduced polypropionates (e.g., 9 and 11) that can be further converted to key intermediates 6 and 7 for the synthesis of ionomycin (4) and borrelidin (5), respectively, by known reactions.