A synthetic approach to enfumafungin

The stereospecific synthesis of the dienophile subunits 5 was achieved from the butenolide 6. Ester 19 was obtained in 67% overall yield (2 steps), with no intermediate purification, by a sodium chlorite oxidation of the corresponding aldehyde in buffered conditions, followed immediately after extraction, by a Mitsunobu reaction of the relatively labile acid 3 with alcohol 13. The synthesis of the α,β-unsaturated aldehydes 22 and 23 is also reported. Tentative IMDA reactions of 22 and 23 were examined in thermal conditions, or with a Lewis acid catalysis, and results are reported herein.