Abstract The total synthesis of plagiochin D, a macrocyclic bis (bibenzyl) compound isolated from the liverwort plagiochila acanthophylla, has been accomplished. Closure of the key 16- membered ring, which contained biphenyl ether and biaryl units, was achieved in good yield by an intramolecular SN Ar reaction. The Suzuki and Wittig protocols proved to be powerful tools for the construction of a linear precursor that was crucial for ring cyclization.
