The Absolute Configuration of the Pyrrolosesquiterpenoid Glaciapyrrol A

The total syntheses of the structurally unique and moderately cytotoxic pyrrolosesquiterpenoid glaciapyrrol A that has been isolated from a marine streptomycete by Macherla et al.([1]) and of seven of its stereoisomers have been performed from geraniol or nerol, respectively, using a known diastereoselective Ru-catalysed approach for the synthesis of tetrahydrofurans previously reported by Stark and co-workers.([5]) Comparison of H-1 and C-13 NMR data unambiguously clarified the relative configuration of natural glaciapyrrol A that was previously only partly solved from the available NMR data. An enantioselective synthesis was carried out resulting in the unnatural enantiomer (11S,12R,15R)-(-)-glaciapyrrol A. These data establish the absolute configuration of the natural product as (11R,12S,15S)-(+)-glaciapyrrol A.