Stereocontrolled Synthesis of (+)-Methoxyphenylkainic Acid and (+)-Phenylkainic Acid

The efficient total syntheses of (+)-methoxyphenylkainic acid (3) and (+)-phenylkainic acid (4) were achieved using a rhodium carbenoid-mediated intermolecular C−H insertion reaction. Complete stereoselective construction of the kainoid skeleton was accomplished by utilizing the stereochemistry at the C-4 position as a pivotal stereogenic center.