Formal Synthesis of (±)-Tetrodotoxin via the Oxidative Amidation of a Phenol: On the Structure of the Sato Lactone

A formal total synthesis of (±)-tetrodotoxin that relies on the bimolecular oxidative amidation of a phenol is described, and a structural correction of the Sato lactone, an important tetrodotoxin intermediate, is provided. This work lays the foundation for an ultimate enantioselective synthesis.