Total Synthesis of (-)-Marinisporolide C

The first total synthesis of (-)-marinisporolide C is described, which establishes unequivocally the relative and absolute configuration of this oxopolyene macrolide. Key features of this synthesis include a series of highly stereoselective aldol reactions followed by directed reductions to build the polyol domain, a Stille cross-coupling reaction to assemble the polyene, and an intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination to forge the macrocyclic ring. Despite the initial approach to marinisporolide A using a Yamaguchi macrolactonization reaction that was unsuccessful due to steric hindrance of the oxygen at the C33 position, we were able to prepare a known derivative of marinisporolide A and consequently confirm its stereochemical assignment.