Synthesis of (−)-Muricatacin via α- and α‘-C−H Bond Functionalization of Tetrahydrofuran

Abstract
(−)-Muricatacin, a potent cytotoxic (4R,5R)-5-hydroxyheptadecan-4-olide, has been synthesized through α-C−H hydroxyalkylation and α‘-C−H oxidation of tetrahydrofuran. This study presents a novel method for C−H bond functionalization as a means for preparing γ-(hydroxyalkyl)-γ-butyrolactones.