Total Syntheses of Mycolactone A/B and its Analogues for the Exploration of the Biology of Buruli Ulcer.

Buruli ulcer, classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization, is caused by a mycobacterium which secretes a macrolidic exotoxin called mycolactone A/B. In this article, several synthetic strategies for the preparation of this toxin are discussed, highlighting the importance of total synthesis for the exploration of biological mechanism underpinning relevant human diseases.