Synthesis of strigolactones and analogs: A molecular approach to the witchweed problem

Abstract

The latent D-ring precursor, viz. endo-tricyclic-exo-hydroxy lactone 6, has been resolved using either a chiral auxiliary in stoichiometric amounts or via an enzymatic acetylation reaction. Enantiopure 6 and ent. 6 can be applied in the synthesis of all possible stereoisomers of several analogs of strigol, which are germination stimulants for seeds of the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche spp.