Total Synthesis of (±)‐Platencin

Resistant bacteria—beware! Platencin, a structurally novel broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, was the target of a total synthesis from o-anisic acid (see scheme). A Diels–Alder reaction with an α-substituted cyclohexenone as well as a [Ni(cod)2]-promoted 1,4-addition enables the concise and stereocontrolled formation of the core. A protecting group free coupling with an aniline unit completed the synthesis. cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene.