An efficient and practical total synthesis of aigialomycin D

An efficient and practical total synthesis of aigialomycin D 1 is described. This concise synthetic route features the use of readily available starting materials with the key transformations being the formation of the macrocycle by RCM under microwave irradiation conditions to effect complete E-selectivity, and regio- and stereospecific formation of the 1′,2′-double bond. The synthesis of aigialomycin D is achieved with the longest linear sequence of only 11 steps and an overall yield of 19%.