Total Synthesis and Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Naturally Occurring Mangromicin A, with Potent Antitrypanosomal Activity

An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-mangromicin A has been accomplished. The tetrahydrofuran ring of mangromicin A, possessing a tetrasubstituted carbon center, was constructed by Mukaiyama-type vinylogous alkylation via a cyclic oxocarbenium intermediate derived from a γ-hydroxy ketone with ideal stereoselectivity, and the 4-hydroxydihydropyrone scaffold was generated via Dieckmann cyclization at a late stage of the total synthesis. The reliable asymmetric synthesis of (+)-mangromicin A has revealed the absolute configuration of naturally occurring mangromicin A.