Tatanans A, B and C, members of a family of complex sesquilignan natural products, were recently reported to possess potent anti-diabetic, glucokinase-activating properties. Here, a convergent enantioselective total synthesis of these tatanans enabled by catalytic allylic dearomatization is described. Contrary to previous reports, biological assays show that tatanans A–C are not allosteric activators of glucokinase.
- Qing Xiao
- Jeffrey J. Jackson
- Armen Zakarian