Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-(2R,3S,6R)-decarestrictine L

A convergent enantioselective synthesis of (+)-(2R,3S,6R)-decarestrictine L (1), a natural inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis, is described from commercially available (S)-malic acid and (R)-isobutyl lactate. The third chiral center was created by stereoselective reduction of a chiral alpha-hydroxy ketone, and an intramolecular S(N)2-type reaction allowed the stereocontrolled formation of the tetrahydropyranyl ring.