Advances in Total Synthesis of Some 2,3,5-Trisubstituted Tetrahydrofuran Natural Products.

Abstract

2,3,5-Trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran moiety is ubiquitous in natural products. These have served as appealing candidates for total synthesis due to their varied bio- and pharmaceutical activities. This tutorial review delineates the ingenious efforts by many researchers in the total synthesis of selected natural products based on a common 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran core structure. Many of the syntheses display nuanced interplay between new methods and the ingenuity of planned strategies achieved through catalysis or cascade chemistry. In some cases, the chiron approach has come quite handy, wherein the structural features and the stereochemistry in select molecules could map well with naturally available starting materials. This compilation also aims to enhance the diversity space based on these natural products and further interest in sustainable total synthesis.