First total synthesis of strongylodiol A

A new cytotoxic long-chain acetylenic alcohol (R)-strongylodiol A, originally isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge of the genus Strongylophora, has been synthesized for the first time using commercially available 1,10-decanediol. The key step of this process involves the selective introduction of the (R)-configuration at C-6 which was achieved by β-elimination of epoxychlorides.