O'Sullivan Paul T, Buhr Wilm, Fuhry Mary Ann M, Harrison Justin R, Davies John E, Feeder Neil, Marshall David R, Burton Jonathan W, Holmes Andrew B
Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
J Am Chem Soc. 2004 Feb 25;126(7):2194-207. doi: 10.1021/ja038353w.
The total synthesis of octalactins A and B has been achieved in 15 steps (longest linear sequence) and 10% overall yield from commercially available materials. Key steps include the Paterson-Aldol reaction for the rapid assembly of the carbonate 46, methylenation of 46 and subsequent Claisen rearrangement of the corresponding alkenyl-substituted cyclic ketene acetal to provide the core unsaturated medium-ring lactone 47, and the use of enzyme-mediated acetate deprotection in the presence of a medium-ring lactone.