Second-generation synthesis of endogenous sperm-activating and attracting factor (SAAF) isolated from the ascidian Ciona intestinalis

Stereoselective synthesis of the chemoattractant sperm-activating and attracting factor (SAAF), isolated from the eggs of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, was achieved via reductive 1,3-transposition of an allylic alcohol and the axial opening of an epoxide as key steps. This second-generation synthesis improved the total yield of SAAF over that of the first-generation synthesis and provided a key intermediate for synthesizing molecular probes of SAAF.