Efficient and selective synthesis of (S,R,R,S,R,S)-4,6,8,10,16,18-hexamethyl-docosane via Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes (ZACA reaction).

(S,R,R,S,R,S)-4,6,8,10,16,18-Hexamethyldocosane (1) was synthesized in 11% yield in 11 steps in the longest linear sequence from > or =98% pure (S)-beta-citronellal and 6 additional steps for the preparation of 11 in 23% yield from propene. Five of the six asymmetric carbon centers were generated catalytically and stereoselectively by the ZACA reaction (5 times), one lipase-catalyzed acetylation, and two chromatographic operations.