Abstract

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the electron-transport inhibitor crocacin A (1) is described. The key step involved acylation of the anion derived from dienecarbamate (6) with the acid chloride (5) to afford the enamide (14). Desilylation, oxidation, and N-deprotection gave acid (17), which was coupled with glycine methyl ester to afford (1).