Total Synthesis of (-)-cryptocaryalactone, (R)-(+)-goniothalamin, 7-Epi-goniodiol and (+)-Kavalactones

A flexible stereoselective synthesis of styryl lactones (-) cryptocaryalactone, 7-epi-goniodiol, (R)-(+)-goniothalamin, (R)-(+)-kavain and (S)-(+)-7, 8-dihydrokavain is synthesized from inexpensive and readily available cinnamaldehyde by applying enantioselective allylation and dihydroxylation reactions. The attractive features of the synthesis is using commercially available inexpensive single starting material for the all the styryl lactones.