Development of Organoiron Methodology for Preparation of the Polyene Natural Product Macrolactin A

Methodology for the synthesis of the C7–C13 segment (19) and C14–C24 segment (41) of macrolactin A have been developed. Dicarbonyl(methyl 7-nitro-2E,4Z-heptadienoate)triphenylphosphineiron (19) is prepared by nucleophilic addition to a (1-methoxycarbonylpentadienyl)iron cation. The C23 stereocenter of 41 is established by introduction of a C20 stereocenter, chirality transfer from C20 to C23 followed by (diene)iron mediated selective ionic reduction of the C20 hydroxyl. The C15 stereocenter may be established by nitrile oxide–olefin cyclocondensation.