Total synthesis of (4S,10R)-4-hydroxy-10-methyl-11-oxododec-2-en-1,4-olide and related bioactive marine butenolides

Marine-derived microorganisms produce structurally diverse butenolides possessing a variety of bioactivities. Described here is the total synthesis of (4S, 10R)-4-hydroxy-10-nnethyl-11-oxododec-2-en-1,4-olide and a related butenolide containing anti stereochemistry at C10-C11. A three-module coupling strategy has been established for synthesis of the stereoisomers of the naturally Occurring butenolides by assembling the C3-C7 and C9-C12 fragments via double alkylation of a 1,3-dithiane. The C10-C11 stereochemistry could be easily controlled by an asymmetric aldol condensation, while the butenolide unit was efficiently constructed according to the ring-closing metathesis protocol. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.