Enantioselective Synthesis of Cephalimysins B and C.

The first synthesis of cephalimysins B and C is reported. The route features a Ni(II)-diamine-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of a densely substituted 3(2H)-furanone and an efficient dihydroxylation-lactonization sequence as key steps in the assembly of the spirocyclic core. The fully synthetic strategy is amenable to analog preparation.