Sporolide B: synthetic studies

Studies directed toward the synthesis of the architecturally complex marine natural product sporolide B are described. Synthetic analysis suggested advanced hydroquinone and benzodiquinane fragments, which upon elaboration were successfully united via an ester linkage. Macrocyclization studies were then carried out, and although a novel macrocyclization product was obtained, subsequent studies revealed that the tertiary hydroxyls at C(6) and C(10) were too sterically encumbered to participate in a successful macrocyclization to furnish sporolide B.