Stereodivergent total synthesis of chlorofusin and its all seven chromophore diastereomers

Chlorofusin (1), one of few natural antagonists against p53-MDM2 interactions, is a naturally biogenetic hybrid composed of a 27-membered nonacyclopeptide and a unique chromophore through the hydrocarbon linkage with ornithine. In this article, we describe our recent achievement, in details, of developing a convenient stereodivergent route for parallel total synthesis of chlorofusin (1) and its all seven chromophore diastereomers (1a–1g) in enantiopure forms, starting from a common racemic azaphilone precursor 10. The newly developed total synthesis shows the great advantages of economy, scalability, stable intermediates, high yields, ease of HPLC-free operations and reduplication.

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