Total synthesis of tubulysin U and its C-4 epimer

The Tup fragments of tubulysins were synthesized with a tandem reaction as the key step, and unexpected diastereoselectivity was observed in the first Grignard addition stage. The coupling of the enolate of a thiazolyl ketone with chiral sulfinimines furnished the backbone of the Tuv fragment with over 100:1 d.r. and high yield. Thus, tubulysin U and C-4 epi-tubulysin U were prepared in a highly selective and efficient manner. The results of the MTT assay furthermore indicated that C-4 epi-tubulysin U maintained significant growth inhibition activities against several cancer cell lines.