β-Hydroxy Esters as Malonic Semialdehyde Proelectrophiles in Enantioselective Butadiene-Mediated Crotylation: Total Synthesis of Octalactins A and B.

Tractable and commercially available esters (and amides) of β-hydroxypropionic acid serve as malonic semialdehyde proelectrophiles in enantioselective ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen autotransfer crotylations mediated by butadiene. Through iterative asymmetric butadiene-mediated crotylations of ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate, total syntheses of the polyketide natural products octalactin A and B were achieved in fewer steps than previously possible.