Total synthesis of (-)-8-O-methyltetrangomycin (MM 47755)

A stereoselective total synthesis of the natural antibiotic (-)-8-O-methyltetrangomycin 1 is reported. The essential steps for this convergent synthesis are the transformation of a geraniol epoxide into a chiral octadiyne derivative, which was converted into a triyne. The cobalt-mediated [2+2+2] cycloaddition of the triyne led to a benz[a]anthracene system, which was oxidized with Ag(Py)(2)MnO(4) to a benz[a]anthraquinone. Deprotection with aqueous HF in acetonitrile and photooxidation afforded the desired product (-)-1. [reaction: see text]