Scalable Synthesis of (-)-Rasfonin Enabled by a Convergent Enantioselective α-Hydroxymethylation Strategy

A scalable synthesis of the potent antitumor agent, (-)-rasfonin, has been achieved. The synthetic strategy features a highly convergent approach based on a single protocol construction of both major fragments via catalytic enantioselective α-hydroxymethylation of simple aliphatic aldehydes. The route described has been successful in the generation of gram quantities of the natural product and serves as the first synthetic strategy to provide sufficient material to continue studies related to its mechanism of action and potential as a cancer therapeutic.