Total Synthesis of (-)-Colombiasin and
(-)-Elisapterosin B

Significance

The target molecules were isolated from the gorgonian octocoral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. Elisapterosin B is active against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite associated with malaria. Two of the three stereogenic centers in D were derived from (-)-dihydrocarvone; the third was generated by hydroboration with Ipc₂BH. All remaining stereogenic centers were created by substrate-controlled processes.