First Total Synthesis of Cytotoxic Diarylheptanoids,Galeon, and Pterocarine

The first total synthesis of cytotoxic diphenyl ether‐type diarylheptanoids, galeon and pterocarine, was described in which the Ullmann reaction was employed at the final step for the diaryl ether formation of key intermediate, 1‐(3‐bromo‐4‐benzyloxyphenyl)‐7‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)heptan‐3‐one, assembled by a series of cross‐aldol condensation from 3‐methoxy‐4‐benzyloxybenzaldehyde.