Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of (−)-Apicularen A and Its Analogues

The total synthesis of (−)-apicularen A (1), a highly cytostatic 12-membered macrolide, and its analogues is described. The convergent and distinct approach not only provides 1, but also opens the opportunity to synthesize C10–C11 functional analogues of 1. The key steps of the total synthesis include assembling of iodoalkene 12 and aldehyde 13 by Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi (NHK) coupling, stereospecific construction of 2,6-trans-disubstituted dihydropyran by Pd­(II)-catalyzed 1,3-chirality transfer reaction, and Yamaguchi macrolactonization. The (17E,20Z,22Z)-heptadienoylenamine moiety in the side chain is installed by an efficient Cu­(I)-mediated coupling to complete the synthesis. Analogues of C11-epi-, C11-deoxy-C10-α-hydroxy-, and C10–C11 dehydrated apicularen A 3–5 were also prepared. Cytostatic activities of (−)-apicularen A and the three analogues for three different cancer cell lines are described.