[reaction: see text] The enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide is reported. The absolute stereochemistry of the tetrahydropyran was established by catalytic asymmetric Jacobsen hetero-Diels-Alder reaction. The remote C19 stereocenter was introduced by a sequence of chelation-controlled Grignard addition and Ireland-Claisen rearrangement.

The tetracarbocyclic framework of the nicandrenone natural products is formed in one step from a linear precursor via a domino intramolecular Diels-Alder/intramolecular furan Diels-Alder/aromatization sequence. The approach represents a new 0 → ABCD strategy for the preparation of aromatic steroids.