Synthesis of (-)-herbertenediol and (aR, aS)-mastigophorenes A via asymmetric intramolecular heck coupling reaction^†

Total enantioselective synthesis of the natural (-)-Herbertenediol (1) was accomplished in eleven steps with an overall yield of 15% starting from the 2-methoxy-4-methyl-phenol. The total synthesis features asymmetric intramolecular Heck reaction and Wolff-Kishner-Huang reduction. (aR, aS)-Mastigophorenes A was also synthesized through the oxidative coupling reaction.