Total synthesis and revision of the absolute configuration of seimatopolide B

Abstract

The asymmetric total synthesis of natural seimatopolide B along with its enantiomer is described starting from readily available 5-hexen-1-ol and 3-buten-1-ol. The key steps involved are Jacobson hydrolytic kinetic resolution, proline-catalyzed α-hydroxylation, Yamaguchi esterification and ring-closing metathesis. This asymmetric total synthesis necessitates the revision of the originally assigned (3R, 6S, 9S)-configuration to (3S, 6R, 9R).