Ascofuranone is a potent inhibitor of trypanosome alternative oxidase. A short and efficient total synthesis of (±)-ascofuranone was accomplished in only seven steps starting with geranyl acetate. The synthetic concept and methodology described in detail here provide a short and simple synthesis for ascofuranone and its derivatives.
![5-[(1E,5E)-7-bromo-1,5-dimethyl-1,5-heptadienyl]-4,5-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone结构式](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/290/1181727-08-1.png)
![5-[(1E,5E)-7-acetoxy-1,5-dimethyl-1,5-heptadienyl]-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxolen-3-yl pivalate结构式](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/376/1181727-06-9.png)