Strategies and tactics for the synthesis of lipid I and II and shortened analogues: functional building blocks of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis

Covering: the literature up to 2022 This study discusses various synthetic strategies for the synthesis of lipid II, the pivotal bacterial cell wall precursor. In detail, it examines different solution phase approaches, reviews various solid phase sequences, and evaluates enzymatic ventures. The underlying rationale, scope, limitations, and perspectives of these strategies are discussed. The focus is on the tactics and strategies towards the authentic peptidoglycan compound, as well as analogues thereof with shortened side chains, which are increasingly recognized as more beneficial surrogates with more favorable physicochemical properties. This review presents an overview of the synthetic approaches towards natural lipid II and shortened analogues made in the last 25 years. Different strategies towards the common target are discussed, and the advantages of each route are indicated.