An Organotrifluoroborate-Based Convergent Total Synthesis of the Potent Cancer Cell Growth Inhibitory Depsipeptides Kitastatin and Respirantin

The total syntheses of the highly cytotoxic neo-antimycin macrocyclic depsipeptide natural products kitastatin and respirantin have been accomplished in a convergent manner using MNBA promoted esterifications and an efficient C- and N-terminus bis-deprotection/HATU promoted macrolactamization. The first examples of using a prenyltrifluoroborate reagent in additions to carbonyl groups are disclosed including a diastereoselective multigram scale montmorillonite K10 catalyzed prenylation of N-Boc-l-leucinal to install the structurally unique gem-dimethyl-β-keto-ester fragment.