Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Bicyclic Bislactones Bearing an All‐Carbon Stereogenic Center: Total Syntheses of (−)‐Rhazinilam and (−)‐Leucomidine B

Abstract In the presence of a catalytic amount of an imidodiphosphoric acid, enantioselective desymmetrization of bicyclic bislactones by reaction with alcohols took place smoothly to afford enantiomerically enriched monoacids having an all‐carbon stereogenic center. Concise catalytic enantioselective syntheses of both (−)‐rhazinilam and (−)‐leucomidine B were subsequently developed using ( S )‐methyl 4‐ethyl‐4‐formylpimelate monoacid as a common starting material.