Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 1998, 63, 1007-1011
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc19981007

Progress in Partial Synthesis of a Marine Secosterol from Gersemia fruticosa: Preparation of the Steroidal Core Unit

Alexander Kuhl and Wolfgang Kreiser

Naturstoffchemie, Universität Dortmund, D-44221 Dortmund, Germany

Abstract

The synthesis of the requisite protected steroidal core unit 13 en route to secosterol 1, a cytotoxic constituent of the soft coral Gersemia fruticosa, is described. The conversion of the intermediate precursor 3 into 13 succeeds through oxidative side chain degradation, deoxygenation of C-12 via reductive desulfurization and cleavage of the C-ring moiety by ozonolysis.

Keywords: Steroids; Seco sterols; Cytotoxic effect; Soft coral.