SummaryThe first total synthesis of the proposed structure of astakolactin, a sesterterpene metabolite isolated from the marine sponge Cacospongia scalaris, has been achieved, mainly featuring Johnson–Claisen rearrangement, asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction and MNBA-mediated lactonization.

The originally proposed structure of astakolactin was revised, and an asymmetric total synthesis of the newly proposed structure was achieved. The key transformations in the synthesis were a Johnson-Claisen rearrangement, an asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction, and a Mitsunobu-type cyclodehydration. The spectroscopic data and specific rotation of the compound obtained matched well with those reported for naturally occurring astakolactin.