Total synthesis of the antifungal dilactones UK-2A and UK-3A: The determination of their relative and absolute configurations, analog synthesis and antifungal activities

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)00777-7

The synthesis of the antifungal dilactones, UK-2A and UK-3A, is described. In addition to providing a workable synthetic route to these potent antifungal antibiotics, this has allowed us to determine the assignment of the relative and absolute configurations in the nine-membered ring. Furthermore, UK-2A analogs were also synthesized and evaluated their antifungal activities and cytotoxic activities along with UK-2A, (2R, 3R, 4S, 7R)-UK-2A, UK-3A, (2R, 3R, 4S, 7R)-UK-3A, and antimycin A. The structural requirements for the selective cytotoxicity against yeasts and filamentous fungi will also be suggested.