Catalytic Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Hedyosumins A, B, and C

The first and asymmetric total synthesis of hedyosumins A, B, and C was accomplished in 13–14 steps from simple starting materials. The essential tools that allow us to access the tetracyclic skeleton include an organocatalytic [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction, an intramolecular aldol condensation, and an intramolecular carboxymercuration/demercuration enabled lactonization. A CBS-catalyzed asymmetric reduction was employed to boost the ee of the synthetic natural products to an excellent level. This synthesis established the absolute configurations of hedyosumins A, B, and C.