Total synthesis of iso- and bongkrekic acids: natural antibiotics displaying potent antiapoptotic properties

For over five decades, owing to their antiapoptotic activities, bongkrekic and isobongkrekic acids have generated interest from the scientific community. Here, we disclose full details of our investigation into the synthesis of isobongkrekic acid, which culminated in its first preparation and features various palladium-catalysed cross-couplings and Takai olefination reactions. Access to bongkrekic acid is also reported by this route. These syntheses involve the preparation and use of new general building blocks which could find wider applications.