Partial Synthesis of Natural Products

With the recognition of the pharmacological potential of prostaglandins, there arose interest in efficient syntheses. Just as in the era of the steroids and the yS-lactam antibiotics, prostaglandin research also enriched us with an abundance of new synthetic strategies and synthetic methods, which are of general importance. 

99 The Black sea rod or Caribbean sea whip (Plexaura homomaUa) is widely distributed in the Caribbean from the Florida Keys to the northern coast of Venezuela. 

PGp2 is obtained by protecting the hydroxy-group of the hydroxyketone, and reducing stereoselectively the keto-group with sodium borohydride. Since the hydride is introduced facially, the 9a-alcohol is formed with good selectivity. 

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