A novel, efficient, diastereo- and enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol-based synthesis of a vinyl cyclopentanone core derivative of viridenomycin.

A strategy has been developed for a rapid seven-step construction of a chiral, nonracemic vinyl cyclopentanone building block as part of a synthetic approach to viridenomycin, using a diastereo- and enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol and intramolecular Knoevenagel condensation as key steps.