Synthetic approach to borrelidin fragments: focus on key intermediates

Borrelidin, a naturally occurring antibiotic, has attracted considerable interest due to its diverse biological activities and complex molecular architecture. Although extensive research has explored its pharmacological properties and various synthetic approaches, significant challenges remain in the efficient synthesis of borrelidin and its analogs. Existing literature largely focuses on total synthesis, bioactivity, and structural modifications, leaving a notable gap in fragment-focused synthesis, particularly for its intricate substructures. This review seeks to address this gap by offering a detailed examination of borrelidin fragment synthesis, highlighting key challenges and innovative strategies involved. By pinpointing unresolved synthetic hurdles, this work advocates for a fragment-focused approach as a crucial step toward advancing borrelidin research and expanding its potential applications.