Total Synthesis of [Delta]12-ProstaglandinJ3, a Highly Potent and Selective Antileukemic Agent

A catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of the potent and selective antileukemic [Delta]12-prostaglandinJ3 ([Delta]12-PGJ3) is described. The convergent synthesis proceeded through intermediates 2 and 3, formed enantioselectively from readily available starting materials and coupled through an aldol reaction followed by dehydration to afford stereoselectively the cyclopentenone alkylidene structural motif of the molecule.