Studies towards the synthesis of secoiridoids

A new approach to secoiridoids, based on the synthesis of the key functionalized intermediates 4 and 5, is presented. These compounds were tested in formal [3+3] cycloadditions. Acyl-chloride 15 was transformed into enol α,β-unsaturated ester 16, which was involved in a N-heterocyclic carbene rearrangement to give an advanced precursor 17 in the total synthesis of secoiridoids.