Total synthesis of greensporone C

The first total synthesis of greensporone C, a cytotoxic 14-membered resorcylic acid lactone, has been accomplished via a longest linear sequence of 16 steps in 3.3% overall yield. The key features of the synthesis include Mitsunobu esterification and ring-closing metathesis to construct the macrocycle and establish the ( E )-olefin geometry, respectively. Our synthesis also confirmed the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product.