Synthesis of (+)‐Darwinolide, a Biofilm‐Penetrating Anti‐MRSA Agent

Abstract

Darwinolide, a recently identified marine natural product from the Antarctic sponge Dendrilla membranosa, was previously shown to exhibit promising activity against the biofilm phase of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Its challenging tetracyclic rearranged spongian diterpenoid structure links a trimethylcyclohexyl subunit to a seven-membered core with two fused tetrahydrofuran units. Herein, we describe the first synthesis of (+)-darwinolide, which features a convergent aldol fragment coupling, an Ireland-Claisen rearrangement, and an organocatalytic desymmetrization as the key steps. Our results provide a foundation for the development of novel antibiofilm-specific antibiotics.