Three kinds of seco-macrosphelide A congeners, were chem. synthesized, and exposed to the lipase OF-360 from Candida rugosa to give three hydroxy carboxylic acids. Macrolactonization of the corresponding precursor hydroxy acid gave 12-membered lactone I in 47% overall yield, while that of the seco-acid II afforded (-)-dibenzyl macrosphelide A in 27% overall yield. Macrolactonization of the hydrolysis product, seco-acid III, provided (-)-dibenzyl macrosphelide A (5% overall yield) and 12-membered lactone I (20% overall yield) concurrently.
(2002), 50(5),692-696