TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF (-)-HIKIZIMYCIN EMPLOYING THE STRATEGY OF 2-DIRECTIONAL CHAIN SYNTHESIS

Hikizimycin (anthelmycin) is a nucleoside antibiotic and anthelmintic agent that represents the most structurally complex member of the long-chain carbohydrate class of natural products. The undecose moiety of hikizimycin was constructed efficiently by employing the strategy of two-directional chain synthesis. A description of this approach, including the advantages and challenges, is provided. In addition, the methods that were utilized to solve the remaining problems associated with the synthesis of hikizimycin are reported. The synthesis confirms the assigned structure of the natural product.