Stereospecific Hydrogenolysis of Lactones: Application to the Total Syntheses of (R)-ar-Himachalene and (R)-Curcumene

A straightforward strategy for the syntheses of curcumene and ar-himachalene is reported. Synthetic highlights include a catalytic and asymmetric vinylogous Mukaiyama reaction and a stereospecific hydrogenolysis of a tertiary benzylic center using Pd/C or Ni/Raney catalysts. Notably, using Ni/Raney, the stereoselectivity outcome (inversion vs retention) of the hydrogenolysis depends on the tertiary benzylic alcohol substitution.