Facile total synthesis and antimicrobial activity of the marine fatty acids (Z)-2-methoxy-5-hexadecenoic acid and (Z)-2-methoxy-6-hexadecenoic acid.

The total synthesis of the naturally occurring (Z)-2-methoxy-5-hexadecenoic acid and (Z)-2-methoxy-6-hexadecenoic acid was accomplished using as a key step Mukaiyama's trimethylsilyl cyanide addition to 4- and 5-pentadecenal, respectively. These syntheses further confirm the structures of the natural marine fatty acids and corroborate their cis double-bond stereochemistry. The title compounds were antimicrobial against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.35 micromol/mL) and Streptococcus faecalis (MIC 0.35 micromol/mL).