A unified stereodivergent strategy for prostaglandin and isoprostanoid synthesis.

Acetoxyfulvene surrended to asymmetric Diels-Alder cycloaddition, paving the way to the development of a unified strategy for the stereodivergent synthesis of both prostaglandins and isoprostanoids. In fact, the cycloadduct was subsequently converted to a common intermediate, which through two different stereoselective pathways afforded the two lactones 1 and 2, which are key building blocks in the synthesis of prostaglandins and isoprostanoids, respectively.