A convergent approach toward the C1-C11 subunit of phoslactomycins and formal synthesis of phoslactomycin B.

The preparation of the C1-C11 subunit of phoslactomycins, and a formal synthesis of phoslactomycin B, were achieved by a convergent strategy involving the chelation-controlled addition of an alkynyl Grignard reagent to an alpha-alkoxy ketone. Catalytic enantioselective reductions of acetylenic ketones and a [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement were utilized as key steps to control the configuration of the C4, C5, and C9 stereocenters.