A catalytic enantioselective formal total synthesis of aspergillide B is reported. This linchpin synthesis was enabled by the development of new conditions for Zn-ProPhenol catalyzed asymmetric alkyne addition. This reaction was used in conjunction with ruthenium-catalyzed trans-hydrosilylation to affect the rapid construction of a late-stage synthetic intermediate of aspergillide B to complete a formal synthesis of aspergillide B in a highly efficient manner.
© 2012 American Chemical Society