Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Gliomasolide D through Total Syntheses of the C-17 Epimers.

The absolute configuration at C-17, the carbon bearing the distal hydroxy group of the 14-membered natural product gliomasolide D, was assigned as R by comparison of 13C NMR shifts and specific rotation values of the epimers at C-17. The first total synthesis of gliomasolide D along with its C-17 epimer, regioselective macrocyclization (18 membered vs 14 membered), and regioselective Wacker oxidation are highlights of the present work.