Abstract (eng)
This PhD thesis describes the efforts toward a total synthesis of bielschowskysin.
Bielschowskysin (1) is a highly oxygenated diterpene, which was isolated from the gorgonian octocoral
Pseudopterogorgia kallos found in the southwestern Caribbean Sea in 2003. Its promising cytotoxic
activity against two human cancer cell lines as well as its antiplasmoidal activity, and its unprecedented
hexacyclic structure containing 11 stereogenic centers, make bielschowskysin a highly challenging target
for total synthesis. To date, no total synthesis of the natural product has been reported.
Herein, several approaches to access the 14-membered carbocyclic framework are described. Each
fragment was synthesized in a stereoselective manner and on large scale. Starting from racemic
cis-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one (161), an enzyme catalyzed kinetic resolution allowed to secure
optically active cis-(+)-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-ol (162) in sufficient quantities. Proper substitution of
the bicyclic structure was achieved in 13 steps taking advantage of the cis configuration of the bicycle to
yield common precursor 163. Using Jones’ reagent, a cascade reaction was developed and optimized to
create the tricyclic core of bielschowskysin. A further two steps yielded western fragment 165, suitable
to couple with glucose derivate 164 to form coupling product 166. Hence, the southern half of the
natural product could be obtained.
In addition, vinyl iodide 167 was formed in a regio- and stereoselective manner, ready to couple with
aldehyde 168. Thus, the northern half of the natural product could be obtained after an oxidation step
(169).
Both fragments 166 and 169 are highly advanced intermediates and have the potential to lead to the
natural product.