Synthesis of (-)-muricatacin

The synthesis of (-)-muricatacin starting from 1-bromododecane and 2-pentyn-1-ol is described. 2-Pentadecyn-1-ol (4), which was prepared from 1-bromododecane (2) and 2-pentyn-1-ol (3), was converted to epoxy alcohol 6 through a two-step reaction sequence, 6 being successively submitted to tosylation, iodination, chain extension with tert-butyl lithioacetate, and acid-catalyzed cyclization to give (-)-muricatacin (1a). Recrystallization afforded optically pure 1a.