Formal total synthesis of fostriecin by 1,4-asymmetric induction with an alkyne-cobalt complex.

The synthesis of a protected dephosphofostriecin, and thereby a formal synthesis of fostriecin, has been accomplished. The synthetic challenges were the construction of four stereogenic centers and the conformationally labile cis-cis-trans-triene moiety. Previous total syntheses have employed at least two asymmetric reactions that required the use of an external chiral auxiliary.

Formal total synthesis of fostriecin via 1,4-asymmetric induction using cobalt-alkyne complex.

The synthesis of a protected dephosphofostriecin, and thereby a formal synthesis of fostriecin, has been accomplished. Two of the four chiral centers are controlled by an external chiral auxiliary and the other two are synthesized stereoselectively, one by a novel 1,4-asymmetric induction using cobalt-alkyne complex, and the other by 1,3-asymmetric induction.