Synthesis of α-Chiral Butyrolactones by Highly Stereoselective Radical Transfer or Sequential Asymmetric Alkylations: Concise Preparation of Leupyrrin Moieties.

Inspired by the bioactive natural metabolites leupyrrin A1 and B1 , two novel stereoselective methods for the highly concise synthesis of densely substituted α-chiral butyrolactones are reported. The first approach relies on an innovative three-step Ti(III) -catalyzed radical reaction that proceeds with excellent chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. The alternative route utilizes sequential asymmetric alkylations and enables asymmetric synthesis of the authentic α-tetrasubstituted butyrolactone motif of the leupyrrins in only four steps from commercially available substrates.