Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Acylfulvene and (−)‐Irofulven

Antitumor agents (−)-acylfulvene and (−)-irofulven are prepared in an approach that employs the powerful enyne ring-closing metathesis reaction to secure the spiro-bicyclic AB rings. Other key features of this synthesis include an efficient aldol-based introduction of the stereocenter at C2, a diazene-mediated reductive allylic transposition, and a ring-closing metathesis/oxidation sequence.