Total Synthesis of Nominal (11S)- and (11R)-Cyclocinamide A

The cyclocinamides possess a unique beta(2)alpha beta(2)alpha 14-membered tetrapeptide core. The initially reported biological data and intriguing structure, which was without full stereochemical identification, necessitated synthesis of both nominal (all-S) cyclocinamide A and the 11R isomer. The completed synthesis is highlighted by the use of a (cyclo)asparagine-containing dipeptide as a turn inducing fragment. Due to inconsistencies in analytical data between natural and synthetic samples, a re-evaluation of the natural product stereochemistry appears necessary.