10.1246/cl.1988.1785
This research focuses on the first enantiospecific total synthesis of dimorphecolic acid, a compound with significant biological interest due to its role as a self-defensive substance against rice blast disease and its cation-specific ionophoric activity. The study also describes the synthesis of 5(S)-HETE and 12(S)-HETE, which are important monohydroxylated metabolites of arachidonic acid involved in inflammation and other health issues. The purpose of the research is to provide efficient and stereocontrolled routes for synthesizing these compounds, which are difficult to obtain from natural sources, thereby facilitating further biological investigations. The key chemicals used in the synthesis include methyl oleate, t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), D(-) DIPT, Ti(O-i-Pr)4, I2, 1-heptyne, Pd(PPh3)4, CuI, and various reagents for specific reactions such as hydroborations and oxidative work-ups. The study concludes that the synthesized dimorphecolic acid from the rice plant exists as a mostly racemic mixture with the (S)-enantiomer being predominant, and the methods developed are applicable for synthesizing other HETEs, including 12(S)-HETE and 5(S)-HETE, with high optical purity and yield.