The enantioselective synthesis of mexiprostil (16R-16-methoxy-16-methyl PGE1 methyl ester) is described. The assembly of the prostaglandin framework has been accomplished by the throe component coupling process, via consecutive linking of the omega and alpha-sidechain to unsubstituted (R)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone, and alternatively by a conjugate addition of the omega-side chain to a (R)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone in which the alpha-side chain is already incorporated. The required lower side chain building block is prepared enantioselectively from nerol utilising the Sharpless expoxidation reaction.
The synthesis of the pure diastereoisomer of 16-methoxy-16-methyl-PGF2 alpha, -PGE2, and -PGE1 is described. The absolute configuration of C-16 was established by chemical methods, while the absolute C-15configurations of the diastereoisomers were assigned tentatively on the basis of their chromatographic behavior and NMR spectra. The synthetic prostaglandin analogues were evaluated for antisecretory