A Short Diastereoselective Total Synthesis of (±)-Vibralactone.

A total synthesis of the (±)-vibralactone has been achieved in 11 steps and 16% overall yield from malonic acid. Key steps include a highly diastereoselective allylation of an α-formyl ester containing an all carbon α-quaternary center, a Pd-catalyzed deallylative β-lactonization, and an aldehyde-selective Wacker oxidation of a terminal alkene.