Total Synthesis ofdl-Ascofuranone and Related Compounds

Convergent synthesis of an antitumor protective agent, ascofuranone, was accomplished by (1) preparation of the terpenoid side chain having a furanone moiety, (2) coupling the side chain with a protected phenol derivative, and (3) deprotection to regenerate the hydroxyl groups. This strategy was successfully applied to the synthesis of oxidized and cyclized analogs of ascofuranone. Some of the ascofuranone derivatives were found to inhibit the growth of P388 leukemia cells.