Total synthesis of the antiviral marine natural product (-)-hennoxazole A

[GRAPHICS] The marine natural product hennoxazole A was synthesized by a convergent approach. The diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction with beta -alkoxy aldehyde was used to construct the tetrahydropyran segment, and the preparation of the nonconjugated triene moiety was accomplished via S(N)2 displacement of allylic bromide with vinyllithium and Takai's iodoolefination followed by palladium-catalyzed cross coupling with MeMgBr. The final steps involve an amide coupling using DEPC and oxazole synthesis via a oxidation/cyclodehydration process.