Chemistry and Biology of Acyloin Natural Products

Abstract This review details the isolation, biosynthesis, biological activity, and synthesis of α-hydroxy ketone (acyloin) natural products. The role of these compounds as biosynthetic precursors to complex natural products and synthetic strategies to access the sensitive acyloin moiety and stereochemistry are highlighted. 1 Introduction 1.1 Xenocyloins 1.2 Biological Activity 1.3 Biosynthesis 1.4 Acyloins as Discoipyrrole Biosynthetic Precursors 2 Total Synthesis of Acyloin Natural Products 2.1 Kurasoins A and B 2.2 Soraphinol A and Circumcin B 2.3 4-Hydroxysattabacin and Actinopolymorphol A 2.4 Actinopolymorphol B 2.5 Sattazolins and Sattabacins 2.6 Catalyst Development and Application in Acyloin Synthesis 2.7 Xenocyloins 3 Conclusion