Synthesis of (+)-Coronafacic Acid

An enantioselective synthesis of (+)-coronafacic acid has been achieved. Rhodium-catalyzed cyclization of an alpha-diazoester provided the intermediate cyclopentanone in high enantiomeric purity. Subsequent Fe-mediated cyclocarbonylation of a derived alkenyl cyclopropane gave a bicyclic enone that then was hydrogenated and carried on to the natural product.