10.1002/1099-0690(200110)2001:20<3797::AID-EJOC3797>3.0.CO;2-Y
The study presents a detailed account of the synthesis of Plakoside A, a prenylated and immunosuppressive marine galactosphingolipid isolated from the marine sponge Plakortis simplex. The research involves the synthesis of two diastereoisomers of Plakoside A, which are structurally unique glycosphingolipids containing a prenylated D-galactose moiety and cyclopropane-containing alkyl chains. The study utilized a variety of chemicals, including sphingosine, α-hydroxy acids, prenylated sugars, and various reagents for protection and deprotection of functional groups, as well as for the construction of the complex molecular framework. These chemicals served the purpose of constructing the three main building blocks of Plakoside A: the sugar part, the sphingosine part, and the hydroxy acid part. The synthesis involved multiple steps, including enzymatic methods, Wittig reactions, and prenylation, with the ultimate goal of obtaining the target compounds and elucidating their absolute configuration.