First Total Synthesis of (±)-Rhodoconferimide

Abstract

Starting from vanillin and dimethyl maleate, a concise and efficient racemic total synthesis of the potent antioxidant marine natural product (±)-rhodoconferimide has been carried out via the Wittig reaction, catalytic hydrogenation, selective brominations, and imide formation. An appropriate regioselective double bromination of the aromatic ring was a key step in the synthesis.