An iterative acetylene–epoxide coupling strategy for the total synthesis of longimicin C

Longimicin C, a naturally occurring annonaceous acetogenin possessing a C2-symmetrical bis-THF moiety and a short hydrocarbon chain between its THF-containing region and a terminal γ-lactone, was synthesized for the first time. The total synthesis was successfully achieved by an iterative acetylene–epoxide coupling strategy. d-Mannitol was used to establish the bis-THF-containing segment, in which the additional stereochemistries were introduced by Sharpless dihydroxylations and intramolecular Williamson etherifications. Regioselective epoxide-openings by the appropriate terminal acetylenes allowed coupling and elaboration of all four fragments including the introduction of three essential hydroxyls into the proper sites of the target skeleton.