Stereocontrolled Synthesis of a Possible Stereoisomer of Laurenidificin and a Formal Total Synthesis of (+)-Aplysiallene Featuring a Stereospecific Ring Contraction

We report a highly stereocontrolled total synthesis of one of the possible stereoisomers of laurenidificin. Highlights of the synthesis include the formation of the 2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane framework by a stereospecific bromolactonization−α-bromination–ring contraction sequence, followed by a stereoselective propargylation, an insertion of the Z-enyne side chain by a hydroindation/cross coupling reaction, and ethylation at C13 with an organocuprate reagent. While the synthetic compound was not identical to the natural product, the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product was proposed on the basis of NMR analyses. Moreover, a formal total synthesis of (+)-aplysiallene was achieved by extending the ring contraction strategy.