Total Synthesis of Conulothiazole A

An efficient total synthesis of the chlorinated thiazole-containing natural product conulothiazole A is reported. Key features of this synthesis include a novel rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of a 2-enamido-thiazole and a vinylic Finkelstein reaction that could be implemented at all stages of the synthesis to install the chlorinated alkene.