Enantioselective synthesis, stereochemical correction, and biological investigation of the rodgersinine family of 1,4-benzodioxane neolignans.

The enantioselective synthesis and chiroptic analysis of all members of the rodgersinine family of 1,4-benzodioxane neolignans has been achieved. ECD spectra and optical rotation analysis determined that the previously published stereochemistry of trans-rodgersinines A and B was incorrect. The cis-rodgersinines A and B did not follow the model ECD study commonly used to assign the absolute stereochemistry of 1,4-benzodioxane natural products. This finding has implications on the absolute stereochemistry of other natural products of this type. Additionally, the rodgersinines were found to have anti-HCV activities.