Convergent Total Synthesis of Asimicin via Decarbonylative Radical Dimerization

Asimicin ( 1 ) exhibits potent antitumor activity and comprises a central C 2 ‐symmetric bis‐tetrahydrofuran and two aliphatic side‐chains, one of which terminates with ( S )‐methyl‐2(5 H )‐furanone. This work reports a convergent total synthesis of 1 in 17 steps from d ‐gulose derivative 4 . Decarbonylative radical‐radial homo‐coupling of α‐alkoxyacyl telluride 12 a efficiently produced the C 2 ‐symmetric core 3‐ SS , which was transformed into 1 through stepwise attachment of the two side‐chains and functional group manipulations.