A strategy for regiochemical reversal of reductive macrocyclizations of aldehydes and terminal alkynes has been developed. Using an advanced synthetic intermediate directed towards the methymycin/neomethymycin class of macrolides, selective endocyclization provides the natural twelve-membered ring series, whereas ligand alteration enables selective exocyclization to provide access to the unnatural eleven-membered ring series. The twelve-membered ring adduct was converted to 10-deoxymethynolide, completing an efficient total synthesis of this natural product.
Abdur-Rafay Shareef, David H Sherman, John Montgomery. Nickel-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Approach to Macrolide Motifs. Chemical science. 2012 Jan 01;3(3):892-895
PMID: 22737401
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