Macrolactonization via Ti(IV)-mediated epoxy-acid coupling: A total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide [and zampanolide]

A total synthesis of dactylolide (1) is described. The key feature involves the Ti(IV)-mediated coupling of structurally complex "Sharpless epoxides" and carboxylic acids in either an intramolecular (macrolactonization) or an intermolecular mode. Other notable aspects include a proton-catalyzed, cis-selective construction of the 4-methylenetetrahydropyran ring; a selective oxidation of an allylic alcohol in the presence of a 1,2-diol by an oxoammonium ion; an efficient ring-closing metathesis reaction of an in situ (bis-TMS) protected α,ω-diene-vic-diol; and an aluminum-mediated aza-aldol reaction of a primary amide to 1 to construct the acyclic carbinolamide in zampanolide.