Synthesis of solamin type mono-THF acetogenins using cross-metathesis

The total synthesis of mono-THF acetogenins, cis-solamin A and B, and reticulatacin, was accomplished starting with muricatacin. The backbone of the mono-THF acetogenins was constructed by olefin cross-metathesis between the tetrahydrofuran moiety and γ-lactone moiety. An enzymatic kinetic transesterification procedure was successfully applied to the synthesis of an optically pure γ-lactone moiety. Notably, cis-THF compounds were obtained without using protective groups.