Synthesis of ()-Agelastatin A

Significance

Agelastatin A is a sponge metabolite that inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3β (a target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and bipolar disorder) and it is a powerful antimetastatic agent owing to its inhibition of osteopontin-mediated malignant transformations. The synthesis is noteworthy for the efficient use of the trichloro­acetamide group as a protecting group, pendant nucleophile and latent urea.