Chemoenzymatic synthesis of bis-THF rings present in acetogenins

Acetogenins belong to a family of natural products of general formula I, endowed with high cytotoxic activity. 1,2 They contain a cyclic THF core flanked by two long hydrocarbon side chains. In addition to the more common mono-THF, bis-THF structures are also found in nature, and display a similar activity profile. The configuration of the THF rings in natural acetogenins is usually R,R, as found in the bis-THF cores of Asimisin and Guanaconetin, Figure 1.