Total synthesis of (+)-discodermolide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo9811423

The total synthesis of (+)-discodermolide is described. The approach involves assemblage of three key stereotriad subunits through addition of nonracemic allenyltin, -indium, and -zinc reagents to (S)-3-silyloxy-2- methylpropanal derivatives, followed by reduction of the resulting anti,syn- or syn,syn-homopropargylic alcohol adducts to the (E)-homoallylic alcohols and subsequent Sharpless epoxidation. Addition of methyl cuprate reagents or Red-Al to the resultant epoxy alcohols yielded the key precursors, alkyne 4, aldehyde 9, and alcohol 24. Addition of alkyne 4 (as the lithio species 10) to aldehyde 9 afforded the propargylic alcohol 11 as the major stereoisomer. Lindlar hydrogenation and installation of appropriate protecting groups led to aldehyde 17. This was converted to the (Z)-vinylic iodide 18 upon treatment with α-iodoethylidene triphenylphosphorane. Suzuki coupling of this vinylic iodide with a boranate derived from iodide 25 led to the coupled product 27 with the complete carbon backbone of (+)-discodermolide and the correct stereochemistry. The synthesis was completed by cleavage of the cyclic PMP acetal at C1 with i-Bu₂AlH and three-step oxidation - esterification to the ester 31. Cleavage of the C19 Et₃Si ether and C19 carbamate formation followed by cleavage of the remaining alcohol protecting groups, first with DDQ and then aqueous HCl, afforded (+)-discodermolide (36).