Ever since its discovery in 1991, diazonamide A (1) has been eyed by synthetic chemists as a potential target because of its puzzling molecular architecture and potent biological activity. The race to synthesize this intriguing natural product was further complicated at the end of last year when a synthesis was completed only to prove that the originally proposed structure was in error. The new structural assignment (2) required retooling of synthetic strategies toward the new target. A total synthesis of diazonamide A has now been achieved confirming its newly proposed structure.

The total synthesis of a new member of the pederin family of natural products, psymberin 1, was accomplished. Using a recently reported novel and efficient PhI(OAc)2 mediated oxidative entry to 2-(N-acylaminal)-substituted tetrahydropyrans as the key step, this total synthesis was executed in a convergent and efficient manner. The longest linear sequence of this synthesis was 22 steps starting from known 6.

As an especially unique target for chemical synthesis, diazonamide A has the potential to be constructed through a plethora of synthetic routes, each attended by different challenges and opportunities for discovery. In this article, we detail our second total synthesis of diazonamide A through a sequence entirely distinct from that employed in our first campaign, one whose success required the development of several special strategies and tactics. We also disclose our complete studies regarding the chemical biology of diazonamide A and its structural congeners, and more fully delineate the scope of our protocol for Robinson-Gabriel cyclodehydration using pyridine-buffered POCl(3).

With the addition of a tenth ring, the exchange of an oxygen atom for a nitrogen in the heart of the molecule, and a different terminal residue, the revised architecture for diazonamide A (1) provided an even more challenging molecular puzzle for chemical synthesis than its predecessor. In this article, we detail the first successful total synthesis of diazonamide A, an endeavor which not only verified its proper connectivities and established the stereochemistry of its previously unassignable C-37 chiral center, but which also was attended by the development of several new synthetic strategies and tactics.