Synthesis of 6-Hydroxysphingosine and α-Hydroxy Ceramide Using a Cross-Metathesis Strategy

Abstract

In this paper, a new synthetic route toward 6-hydroxysphingosine and α-hydroxy ceramide is described. The synthesis employs a cross-metathesis to unite a sphingosine head allylic alcohol with a long-chain fatty acid alkene that also bears an allylic alcohol group. To allow for a productive CM coupling, the sphingosine head allylic alcohol was protected with a cyclic carbonate moiety and a reactive CM catalyst system, consisting of Grubbs II catalyst and CuI, was employed.