Synthesis of the novel anti-leukaemic tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]benzofuran, rocaglamide

A total synthesis of the novel anti-leukaemic natural product, rocaglamide, in racemic form, is described, the key step involving an intramolecular keto-aldehyde pinacolic coupling; the synthetic route is short, proceeds from phloroglucinol, a readily-available starting material, and is well suited to the synthesis of analogues.