Total Synthesis and Structure Revision of Boholamide A

The 15-membered cyclic depsipeptide boholamide A and an epimer were prepared by total synthesis for the first time, thus leading to a revision of C6 stereochemistry in the originally proposed structure of natural boholamide A. This convergent route features achievement of a macro-lactamization step in a gram scale. The revised boholamide A was sythesized with 16 linear steps in 5.46% overall yield. This work facilitates the investigations of boholamide A as a potential hypoxia-selective anticancer agent.

Automated summary

For the first time, the 15-membered cyclic depsipeptide boholamide A and an epimer were prepared by total synthesis, leading to a revision of the C6 stereochemistry in the original proposed structure. The revised boholamide A was synthesized in 16 linear steps with an overall yield of 5.46%, facilitating investigations into its potential as a hypoxia-selective anticancer agent.