Allosamidin, recently isolated from mycelial extracts of
Streptomyces sp. 1713, is a powerful and
selective
chitinase inhibitor. The total synthesis of allosamidin is
described herein. The electric eel
acetylcholinesterase-mediated enantioselective hydrolysis of
(trans,trans)-2-(benzyloxy)cyclopentene-1,3-diol
diacetate accessed a
monoacetyl derivative. Five additional steps produced a protected
version of the aglycon (“allosamizoline”) sector
of allosamidin. An allal derivative stereoselectively reacted with
benzenesulfonamide in the presence of a halonium
source to afford a 2β-halo-1α-sulfonamidohexose. Treatment of
this product with a strong base generated an
intermediate 1,2-sulfonylaziridine, which was trapped with a protected
allal derivative to provide a disaccharide
glycal. Reiteration of this scheme gave access to the required
trisaccharide. Following deprotection, the total
synthesis
of allosamidin was accomplished. In addition, the method, with
modification, gave access to several allosamidin
analogs.