Asymmetric total syntheses of spisulosine, its diastereo- and regio-isomers

Starting from palmityl alcohol, divergent stereoselective syntheses of spisulosine and its diastereo- and regio-isomers have been achieved. In the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation-based approach, the key step is the synthesis of monoprotected diol, whereas Miyashita’s boron-directed C-2 regioselective azidolysis of enantiomerically pure epoxy alcohol is the vital step in the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation-based route. The latter approach involves the first protecting-group-free synthesis of spisulosine.