Total synthesis of plagiochins C, and D, macrocyclic bis(bibenzyl) constituents of plagiochila acantophylla

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)88193-X

Plagiochins C (3) and D (4) were synthesized by convergent schemes. Rings C and B were joined by Ullman ether synthesis, the aryl-aryl bond between rings A and D was formed by Pd(0)-catalysed coupling of an arylboronic acid (ring D) and a bromobenzoic ester (ring A). Rings C and D were linked by the Wittig reaction, while final ring closure was effected by tetraphenylethene assisted Wurtz reaction.