Biomimetic Synthesis of Oleocanthal, Oleacein, and Their Analogues Starting from Oleuropein, A Major Compound of Olive Leaves

Oleocanthal and oleacein are known for a wide range of beneficial activities in human health and the prevention of diseases. The inability to isolate significant and pure amounts of these natural compounds and their demanding synthesis lead to the development of an efficient, five-step, three-pot procedure. The synthesis is performed by a convenient biomimetic approach, starting from oleuropein, an abundant raw material in olive leaves, through the mixed anhydride of oleoside. The method is stereocontrolled and provides an efficient approach to the synthesis of various oleocanthal analogues; thus, a small library of four compounds was prepared with 35–45% overall yield.