Organozirconocene-mediated polyene synthesis: Preparation of asukamycin and manumycin a side chains

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)01129-5

Hydrozirconation of a functionalized alkyne followed by transmetalation and 1,2-addition to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was used for the syntheses of the eastern side chain of asukamycin and a precursor to the southern side chain common to asukamycin and manumycin A. These routes facilitate analog preparation, and the convergent zirconocene strategy represents an alternative to stepwise Wittig condensations or Stille couplings in polyene synthesis.