Stereopentads Derived from a Sequence of Mukaiyama Aldolization and Free Radical Reduction on α-Methyl-β-alkoxy Aldehydes: A General Strategy for Efficient Polypropionate Synthesis

In a stereodivergent manner, all 16 diastereomeric stereopentads 7−22 were synthesized starting with α-methyl-β-alkoxy aldehydes 25 and 27. We designed an approach based on a sequence of a Mukaiyama aldolization with enoxysilane 24 followed by a hydrogen transfer reaction. Recent advancements concerning these reactions are described, and novel key intermediates are characterized in the aldol step. The synthesis of C(1)−C(11) fragment 60 of zincophorin, which contains a synthetically challenging stereopentad unit, is described attesting the usefulness of our strategy.