Mevinic acids total synthesis

Using water as the solvent enhanced the rate of the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction relative to the dimerization of cyclopentadiene. In addition, the reaction is much faster at a low pH, which implies that the reaction is acid catalyzed. The 5,5-fused system generated has been used in the total synthesis of several bioactive compounds, including the anti-HIV agent (—)-carbovir (Eq. 12.51)121 and the hydroxylactone moiety of mevinic acids (Eq. 12.52).122... 

Y. Chapleur, The chemistry and total synthesis of mevinic acids, in Recent Progress in the Chemistry of Antibiotics, G. Lukacs and S. Ueno, eds., Springer, New York, 1993 pp. 829-937. 

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