Stereoselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Brevipolide H from d-Galactal

An efficient and concise synthesis of cytotoxic 5,6-dihydro-α-pyrone (+)-brevipolide H has been accomplished in 12 long linear steps in 8.65% overall yield from readily available chiral synthons, d-galactal and ethyl l-lactate. The features of this synthesis are highly diastereoselective Simmons–Smith cyclopropanation and carbohydrate-based chiron approach to rapid access to key 5,6-dihydro-α-pyrone...