Synthesis of the Marine Myxobacterial Antibiotic Enhygrolide A

The first synthesis of enhygrolide A, a scarce γ-alkylidenebutenolide antibiotic of the obligate marine myxobacterium Enhygromyxa salina, was achieved in five steps and 54% overall yield from tetronic acid. Key steps include (i) organocatalytic reductive alkylation, (ii) iron-catalyzed sp²-sp³ cross-coupling, and (iii) vinylogous aldol condensation. Aside from its brevity and reliance on environmentally sustainable processes, the synthesis demonstrates the serviceability of butenolide pivalates in cross-coupling reactions.