Total synthesis of murisolins and evaluation of tumor-growth inhibitory activity

Convergent total syntheses of murisolin (1), natural 16,19-cis-murisolin 2, and unnatural 16,19-cis-murisolin 3 were accomplished by asymmetric alkynylation of alpha-tetrahydrofuranic aldehyde with a diyne and Sonogashira coupling with a gamma-lactone segment as the key steps. Stereoisomers of alpha-tetrahydrofuranic aldehyde were synthesized with high optical purity and the asymmetric alkynylation of these with 1,6-heptadiyne proceeded in good yield and with high diastereoselectivity. The cell-growth inhibition profile and COMPARE analysis of the synthetic compounds 1-3 were also investigated.