On the total synthesis of (S)-methanophenazine and the formal synthesis of (R)-methanophenazine from a common precursor

Methanophenazine is a new cofactor from methanogenic archaea. (S)-Methanophenazine has been synthesized from three building blocks, i.e. 2-hydroxy-phenazine, ethyl (R)-3-methylglutarate and (E,E)-farnesyl acetone; a stereodivergent approach from ethyl (R)-3-methylglutarate warrants the formal synthesis of (R)-methanophenazine.