Synthesis of pyran and pyranone natural products.

An overview of the synthesis of the fungal metabolites (+)-dermolactone, (-)- semixanthomegnin, (+)- and (-)-mellein, (-)-ochratoxin alpha, (-)-(1R,3S)-thysanone, the enantiopure ventiloquinones L, E and G, and 8-desmethyleleutherin from a common chiral intermediate, is presented. Further methodology leading potentially toward extended quinones such as (3S,3'S)-xylindein is also outlined.