Modular total syntheses of mycolactone A/B and its [ 2 H]- isotopologue

Abstract : A modular total synthesis of mycolactone A/B, the exotoxin produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans has been achieved through the orchestration of several Pd-catalyzed key steps. While this route leads to a mixture of the natural product and its C12 epimer (4:1 ratio), this was inconsequential from the biological activity standpoint. Compared to previously reported routes, this synthetic blueprint allows the late-stage modification of the toxin, as exemplified with the preparation of [22,22,22-2