Total synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of (+)-neoisoprelaurefucin

The first total synthesis of the seven-membered ring ether marine natural product (+)-neoisoprelaurefucin (1) has been achieved employing a regioselective internal alkylation of amide 3, a novel sequence for removal of the triethylsilyl group from the resulting triethylsilyloxepene 2, and a bromoetherification of alcohol 16 as key steps. In addition, the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product was assigned.