Solution-phase and solid-phase syntheses of enzyme inhibitor RK-682 and antibiotic agglomerins

The enzyme inhibitor RK-682 (5R)-(+)-1 was prepared in solution and on a solid support from (2R)-glycerates in five steps and ca. 40% overall yield. Key steps were a ring-closing tandem addition-Wittig alkenation reaction of the respective protected or immobilized glycerates with the ylide Ph-3-PCCO and the 3-acylation of the tetronic acids thus obtained with palmitic acid. A similar route extended by a mesylation-elimination sequence led to antibiotic agglomerins A-C 2 featuring 3-acyl-5-methylidenetetronic acid structures.