Total Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds

University Of Colorado, Boulder CO

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Abstract

Project Summary The principle objectives of this proposal are to develop syntheses of several complex marine-derived natural products that possess potent pharmacological activity, and that are currently available only in limited amounts. Specific target molecules include norhalichondrin B, E7389, and spirastrellolide B. Norhalichondrin B is a complex marine-derived polyether that displays remarkably potent in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activity (GI50 values of <1nM vs. a range of cell lines). It is not available from the natural source at the present time, and a concise synthesis of this target that employs new methods for the construction of subunits and new strategies for the assembly of these subunits will be developed. The chemistry developed for this purpose will also be applied to a concise 25 step synthesis of the structurally related clinical candidate E7389, which is currently prepared by an ~35 step route. The third major target is spirastrellolide B, a very complex macrolide that displays nanomolar IC50 values against protein phosphatases of relevance to cancer therapy. A concise, potentially gram-scale, synthesis of this compound is proposed that will provide material for further biological study.