Synthesis of optically active strigolactones: enzymatic resolution and asymmetric hydroxylation

A synthetic intermediate of an optically active strigolactone analogue was prepared in two ways: enzymatic resolution and asymmetric hydroxylation. The 4-hydroxy tricyclic lactone 4 was enzymatically resolved to give the corresponding enantiomers in an enantiomerically pure state, while the tricyclic lactone 5 was hydroxylated asymmetrically at the 4-position by the action of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase.