Total Synthesis of Uvaricin

The first total synthesis of naturally occurring (+)-uvaricin was achieved using three consecutive Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) reactions to place the necessary oxygen functions on a "naked" carbon skeleton in a regio- and enantioselectively controlled manner. The appropriate bis-THF ring system was constructed using a Williamson type etherification reaction on a functionalized bis-mesylate intermediate.