Synthesis of Chiral Dihydrobenzofurans and Phthalides by Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution: A Strategy for Total Synthesis of Daldinins A,B, and C and Concentricolide

A versatile and efficient strategy for the total synthesis of the anti‐HIV‐1 agent concentricolide and its analogues daldinins A, B, and C has been established. This strategy offers a mild and facile access to these benzo annulated compounds, bearing multiple stereocenters in good yield with 99% enantiomeric excess (ee) and 93% diastereomeric excess (de) values. Construction of the corresponding syn dihydrobenzofuran and phthalide groups can be achieved in one step by Noyori's asymmetric transfer hydrogenation, via dynamic kinetic resolution.