Uma síntese total da (3S, 5R, 3'S, 5'R)-capsorubina (1) enriquecida enantiomericamente, através da condensação aldólica da (1R, 4S)-1-(4-hidróxi-1,2,2-trimetil-ciclopentil)etanona (2a) e do crocetindial (3) é descrita. Uma síntese alternativa do composto 2a opticamente ativo (ee 89%), com apenas oito etapas, também foi desenvolvida.

The total synthesis of enantiomerically enriched (3S, 5R, 3'S, 5'R)-capsorubin (1) by aldol condensation of (1R, 4S)-1-(4-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethyl-cyclopentyl) ethanone (2a) and crocetindial (3) is described. An alternative, short eight-step synthesis of the optically active compound 2a (ee 89%) is also reported.

The olefin metathesis reaction allows the exchange of complex alkyl units between two olefins, with the formation of a new olefinic link and a sub-product olefin usually ethylene. This reaction has found extensive application in the last ten years with the development of the Grubbs and Schrock catalysts, in total synthesis of complex organic molecules, as opposed to the very important use in the petrochemical industry with relatively simple molecules. This review intends to trace a historical and mechanistic pathway from industry to academy, before illustrating the more recent advances.