A convergent route for the total synthesis of malyngamides O, P, Q, and R.

A convergent, enantioselective and general synthetic route to a class of marine natural products-malyngamides O (1), P (2), Q (3), R (4), 5''-epi-3 and 5''-epi-4-bearing a novel vinyl chloride structural motif was developed. The key steps involved construction of the vinyl chloride functionality by Wittig reaction, a DCC/HOBt-promoted amidation, an aldol reaction in the construction of the basic backbone of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5''-epi-3, and 5''-epi-4, and methylation of an enol moiety via either base/acid conditions or a Mitsunobu reaction. Moreover, the absolute configuration of the stereogenic center at C-5'' in 3 was further confirmed by synthesis of the natural product and its C-5'' epimer.