Progress towards the synthesis of Providencin

 

   Providencin was isolated from the Caribbean gorgonian ortocoral Pseudopterogorgia kallos.  Providencin contains furan, butenolide, exo-methylene cyclobutanol and epoxide moieties, and its bicyclo [12.2.0] hexadecane ring system is previously undescribed.  Providencin exhibits modest anti-cancer activity towards MCF7 breast cancer, NCI-H460 nonsmall cell lung cancer and SF-268 CNS cancer.  Its unique structure and biological activity make providencin an attractive target for total synthesis.