A four-step synthesis of verrucarin B (3) from verrucarol (2) is described. Coupling of 2 with in situ generated carboxylic acid 5 proceeded with moderate regioselectivity and afforded trichothecene monoester 14 in only 35% yield. It was necessary therefore to block the C (4)- hydroxyl group of verrucarol prior to the coupling reaction with 5. Selective protection of 2 was accomplished in 54% yield (81% corrected for recovered verrucarol after hydrolysis of ...
