Phenol phospholipase

Total synthesis of an unusual pentameric dypside, thielocin Alb (5), which is a specific inhibitor of group II phospholipase A2, was achieved via regioselective phenolic oxidation using PIDA [87] (Scheme 6). 

The substrate arachidonic aeid, whieh often leads to formation of inflammatory prostaglandins, is stored in tissues as one of a number of phospholipids these compounds, as the name indicates, comprise complex phosphate-containing esters. The antiinflammatory corticosteroids inhibit the action of the enzyme, phospholipase A2, that frees arachidonic acid. The many undesired effects of those steroids has led to the search for non-steroidal inhibitors of that enzyme. A highly substituted indole derivative has shown good activity as a phospholipase A2 inhibitor. Alkylation of the anion from treatment of indole (32) with benzyl chloride affords the corresponding A-benzylated derivative (33). The methyl ether at the 4 position is then cleaved by means of boron tribromide to yield 34. Alkylation of the enolate from reaction of the phenol with sodium hydride with tert-butylbromoacetate affords the corresponding... 

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