A Straightforward Diastereoselective Synthesis and Evaluation of Climacostol, A Natural Product with Anticancer Activities

On the basis of continued interest in plant-derived natural products as anticancer agents, a shorter and more efficient synthesis of climacostol is reported. This compound showed an anticancer activity better than that of the natural product. The improved potency and selectivity can be due to the absence of traces of the undesired E-isomer present in the natural climacostol. Furthermore, the versatile strategy developed for this simple molecule such as climacostol could aid in the synthesis of other more complex natural products.