Synthesis of (-)-Terpestacin

Significance

Terpestacin inhibits (a) formation of syncytia by HIV-infected T cells and (b) angiogenesis. Trost and co-workers make very effective use of α-diketone chemistry to create three C-C bonds. Highly selective Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions of an α-diketone (A to C and H to I) generate allylic ethers which are heated under microwave conditions to effect a Claisen rearrangement.