phytotoxins solanapyrones D (1) and E (2) have been synthesized from the decalone prepared by the domino Michaelreaction of the kinetic enolate of optically pure acetylcyclohexene with methylcrotonate. The decalone was transformed into a solanapyrone core by equilibration into thermodynamically stable trans-decalone (11), dehydroxylation, and dehydration. Condensation of a methyl acetoacetate equivalent
The syntheses of prosolanapyrones I (6) and II (7) via the aldol reactions of pyrone and dienal segments have been achieved in five steps in 31% overall yield for 6 and seven steps in 5% overall yield for 7. An improved synthetic route starting from vinylpyrone 27 provided 7 in 11 steps in 12% overall yield. The enzymatic Diels-Alder reaction of 7 affords (-)-solanapyrone A (1) with high enantioselectivity and with good exo-selectivity, which is difficult to attain by chemical methods. In addition, a crude enzyme preparation from Alternaria solani has been used to perform a kinetic resolution of(+/-)-3.