Formal total synthesis of aspergillide A

The formal total synthesis of aspergillide A 1 is described. The cross-metathesis of enone 6 with 6-hepten-2-ol derivative 5 provided E-olefin 15 corresponding to the C-4-C-14 backbone of 1. The CBS asymmetric reduction of 15 gave allyl alcohol 16, which was transformed into beta-alkoxyacrylate 4 which had a formyl group. SmI2-induced reductive cyclization of 4 gave a 2,6-syn-2,3-trans THP derivative 3 in good yield. After methoxymethylation of 3, the resulting compound 19 was submitted to desilylation and hydrolysis, to afford Fuwa's key intermediate 2 for the total synthesis of 1. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.