The total synthesis of
pseudo 2-epibotcinolide (
1b) through several featured synthetic approaches has been attained. First, the chiral linearprecursors of the nine-membered ring compound is stereoselectively constructed by the asymmetric aldol reaction for producing
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
-hydroxyester units. Second, the key cyclization reaction to form the nine-membered lactone moiety is efficiently achieved by the extremely facile andpowerful mixed-anhydride method promoted by 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride (MNBA) with basic promoters.