Total synthesis of dendroamide a: oxazole and thiazole construction using an oxodiphosphonium salt

The total synthesis of dendroamide A (1), a multidrug-resistance reversing bistratamide-type peptide-derived macrocycle, has been accomplished in 19% yield. Fmoc-protected amino acids were condensed into appropriately protected dipeptides which were treated with bis(triphenyl)oxodiphosphonium trifluoromethanesulfonate to afford oxazoles and thiazolines (oxidized to thiazoles) with high chemo- and stereoselectivity. The convergent condensation of three heterocyclic amino acids followed by macrocyclization afforded the natural product.