A formal total synthesis of roseophilin: cyclopentannelation approach to the macrocyclic core.

[formula: see text] The formal total synthesis of the macrocyclic core of roseophilin 4 has been accomplished in 12 steps from 5-hexenal 8. The cyclopentannelation reaction was used to form the aliphatic five-membered ring of 3. Diene 2 was assembled by means of a Stetter reaction. Ring-closing metathesis of 2, reduction, and Knorr reaction of the 1,4-diketone 5 gave the ketopyrrole 3.