An improved asymmetric synthesis of malyngamide U and its 2'-epimer

An improved 13 steps asymmetric synthesis of malyngamide U and its 2'-epimer from easily available n-hexanal, ethanolamine and (R)-(-)-carvone is described. The key steps in the synthesis have involved Johnson-Claisen rearrangement in the synthesis of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an aldol reaction in the construction of the skeleton of malyngamide U.