Total Synthesis of the Natural Herbicide MBH-001 and Analogues

Abstract

The first total synthesis of the natural herbicide MBH-001 (1) is reported. Structurally it is a 2-methyloxazol-5(2H)-one with a (1-hydroxyethyl) substituent at the 2-position. By relying on cyclic nitrones, a flexible route to MBH-001 and relevant analogues was developed. Key steps include the reaction of a 2-hydroxyimino ester with an aldehyde to form a 5-oxo-2,5-dihydrooxazole 3-oxide. In an aldol-type reaction, the anion of these cyclic nitrones reacted with an aldehyde at the 2-position. A final reduction of the nitrone to the corresponding imine using zinc led to the target compounds. The cyclic nitrones are also accessible by reacting an α-keto acid with an oxime. These two versatile synthetic routes enabled us to prepare the first MBH-001 analogues for structure activity relationship analysis of the herbicidal efficacy. Thus, furthering our aim of developing new herbicides to tackle the ever-growing problem of weed resistance.