Enantioselective Synthesis of the C(1)-C(6?) Subunit of Zaragozic Acid C

Preparation of the C(1)-C(6?) subunit of Zaragozic acid C is described. The C(5?) methyl-bearing stereocenter is installed by rapid, regioselective opening of a phenylcyclopropyl carbinol with Pearlman?s catalyst (1 atm H2) in 2% triflic acid/methanol.