Total synthesis of the glycosylated macrolide antibiotic fidaxomicin

Abstract

The first enantioselective total synthesis of fidaxomicin, also known as tiacumicin B or lipiarmycin A3, is reported. This novel glycosylated macrolide antibiotic is used in the clinic for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections. Key features of the synthesis involve a rapid and high-yielding access to the noviose, rhamnose, and orsellinic acid precursors; the first example of a β-selective noviosylation; an effective Suzuki coupling of highly functionalized substrates; and a ring-closing metathesis reaction of a noviosylated dienoate precursor. Careful selection of protecting groups allowed for a complete deprotection yielding totally synthetic fidaxomicin.