Asymmetric Synthesis of Methoxylated Ether Lipids: Total Synthesis of n-3 Polyunsaturated Docosahexaenoic Acid-Like Methoxylated Ether Lipid

Svanur Sigurjónsson, Einar Lúthersson, Carlos D. Magnússon, Haraldur G. Gudmundsson, Erika Das, Gudmundur G. Haraldsson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The first total synthesis of a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-like methoxylated ether lipid (MEL) is reported. This compound constitutes an all-cis methylene skipped hexaene framework identical to that present in DHA, the well-known omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. The polyene C22 hydrocarbon chain, bearing a methoxyl group in the 2-position and R-configuration at the resulting chiral center, is attached by an ether linkage to the pro-S hydroxymethyl group (sn-1 position) of a glycerol backbone. The asymmetric synthesis is highly convergent and based on the polyacetylene approach involving iterative copper-promoted coupling reactions of propargyl bromides with terminal alkynes and semihydrogenation of the resulting hexayne. Starting from enantiopure R-solketal and racemic epichlorohydrin, the targeted MEL was accomplished in an 8.2% yield over eight steps (longest linear sequence) involving an enantio- and diastereopure glyceryl glycidyl ether key C6-building blocks from which the polyynes were constructed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14623-14635
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Organic Chemistry
Volume87
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Oct 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: This work was funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (100030─021-023; 120023─021-023; and 141595─051-053) that is also acknowledged for a doctorate student grant (SS) (174396─051-053). Dr. Sigrídur Jónsdóttir University of Iceland is acknowledged for NMR and accurate MS measurements. Dr. Iren Stoknes and Dr. Geir Frode at EPAX AS in Ålesund, Norway, and Dr. Elin Kulås and Dr. Erling Odden at BASF AS in Sandefjord, Norway, are acknowledged for GLC analysis. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Asymmetric Synthesis of Methoxylated Ether Lipids: Total Synthesis of n-3 Polyunsaturated Docosahexaenoic Acid-Like Methoxylated Ether Lipid'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this