Total synthesis of the marine natural product (-)-clavosolide A. A showcase for the Petasis-Ferrier union/rearrangement tactic

The total synthesis of the marine diolide (-)-clavosolide A has been achieved in 17 steps (longest linear sequence) from commercially available crotonaldehyde exploiting the Petasis-Ferrier union/rearrangement tactic to construct the requisite aglycon monomer. A one-pot esterification/lactonization employing the Yamaguchi protocol, followed by bis-glycosidation, furnished (-)-clavosolide A.