Total synthesis of natural (-)- and unnatural (+)-Melearoride A

This communication details the first total synthesis of the 13-membered macrolide, (-)-Melearoride A, as well as unnatural (+)-Melearoride A. The synthesis features a concise 13 step synthesis (11 steps longest linear sequence) that offers flexible stereo-control and multiple opportunities for unnatural analog synthesis to delve into antifungal SAR. The route features a cuprate addition, an Evans asymmetric alkylation, and a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) to close the 13-membered macrocyclic core. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.