The synthesis of the fully functionalized eastern fragment of trienomycins A–F, ansamycin
antibiotics is described. A key step involves a peptidic coupling between a sulfonyl
aniline and an enantiopure carboxylic acid obtained by a completely diastereoselective
reduction of a β-ketosulfoxide to generate the stereogenic carbinol. Studies on the
coupling with the western part were also performed, giving access to an advanced fragment
of trienomycinol.
Key words
ansamycin - trienomycin - antitumor - sulfoxide