Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of key intermediate for scytophycin C

We achieved a formal total synthesis of scytophycin C. The synthesis demonstrates the utility of the catalytic asymmetric direct thioamide-aldol reaction for the preparation of polyketide structures, and was accomplished via diastereoselective allylation, and allylative cyclization as other key transformations. The reported process accesses Miyashita's key fragment corresponding to the C7-C18 framework in fewer steps (14 steps) than in previously reported syntheses. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.