Synthesis of the Phormidolide A Macrocycle Supports the Proposed Configurational Reassignment.

We describe the successful synthesis of the phormidolide A macrocycle as a crucial step toward its total synthesis and configurational assignment. Exhaustive exploration of macrocyclization strategies revealed the detrimental effects of a bulky protecting group on the C17 hydroxyl function, leading to the successful use of a C17 -methoxybenzyloxymethyl (PMBM) ether in the macrolactonization reaction. Further elaboration of the macrocycle with a truncated C18-C23 side chain afforded an advanced C1-C23 fragment of phormidolide A.

Synergism of anisotropic and computational NMR methods reveals the likely configuration of phormidolide A.

Characterization of the complex molecular scaffold of the marine polyketide natural product phormidolide A represents a challenge that has persisted for nearly two decades. In light of discordant results arising from recent synthetic and biosynthetic reports, a rigorous study of the configuration of phormidolide A was necessary. This report outlines a synergistic effort employing computational and anisotropic NMR investigation, that provided orthogonal confirmation of the reassigned side chain, as well as supporting a further correction of the C7 stereocenter.

A counterintuitive stereochemical outcome from a chelation-controlled vinylmetal aldehyde addition leads to the configurational reassignment of phormidolide A.

As part of our ongoing studies towards the total synthesis of phormidolide A (1), we explored the chelation-controlled vinylmetal addition of iodide 2 to aldehyde 3 to install the reported 17S configuration. While the stereochemical outcome of this reaction was opposite to that expected, detailed NMR comparisons with the previously reported triacetonide derivative of phormidolide A (18) highlighted that the major adduct was a better match to the natural product. The synthesis of three model acetonides and detailed spectroscopic comparisons to the triacetonide derivative of phormidolide A supports a reassignment of seven of the 11 stereocentres in phormidolide A (1a).