Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Soraphen A: A Flexible Alkyne Strategy

Total synthesis of (-)-18-epi-peloruside A: an alkyne linchpin strategy

A convergent synthetic route toward cytotoxic agent peloruside A that hinges on the use of an alkyne linchpin to assemble the natural product is described. Other highlights of this synthesis include an asymmetric desymmetrization reaction of a 1,3-diol, a one-pot conversion of a dibromoolefin to a stereodefined enone, and a diastereoselective aldol condensation. Misassignment of the absolute stereochemistry of the C18 stereocenter in our synthesis provided the natural product epimeric at the C18 ethyl stereocenter.

Development of Zn-ProPhenol-catalyzed asymmetric alkyne addition: synthesis of chiral propargylic alcohols

The development of a general and practical zinc-catalyzed enantioselective alkyne addition methodology is reported. The commercially available ProPhenol ligand (1) has facilitated the addition of a wide range of zinc alkynylides to aryl, aliphatic, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in high yield and enantioselectivity. New insights into the mechanism of this reaction have resulted in a significant reduction in reagent stoichiometry, enabling the use of precious alkynes and avoiding the use of excess dimethylzinc. The enantioenriched propargylic alcohols from this reaction serve as versatile synthetic intermediates and have enabled efficient syntheses of several complex natural products.