Two syntheses of the 16- and 17-membered DEF ring systems of chloropeptin and complestatin.

[formula: see text] Two syntheses of a model system of the DEF ring system of complestatin and chloropeptin are described. The key step in both of these syntheses involves the formation of the biaryl linkage using a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and a catalytic enantioselective ene reaction to form the 6-bromo-D-tryptophan. Additionally, ring contraction of the 17-membered DEF ring system of complestatin generates the 16-membered DEF ring system of chloropeptin in a biomimetic fashion.