Simple and Efficient Synthesis of (+)-Methyl 7-Benzoylpederate, a Key Intermediate toward the Mycalamides

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of (+)-methyl 7-benzoylpederate, the left half of pederin, mycalamides, onnamides, and theopederins, was developed. The key reactions include the Evans asymmetric aldol reaction, a thioacetalization−lactonization, a stereoselective Claisen condensation, and a Takai−Nozaki olefination. The synthesis requires only nine steps and proceeds in 26% overall yield.