Racemic marinopyrrole B by total synthesis.

The first synthesis of marinopyrrole B, which is highly active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is described. The route involved constructing a pyrrole ring on the nitrogen of a 3-bromo-4,5-dichloropyrrole by N-alkylation with a special Michael acceptor having an allylic leaving group; the second pyrrole ring was then formed by a Paal-Knorr reaction.

[1-(Phenylseleno)alkyl]stannanes-mixed selenium/tin analogs of acetals: preparation from alpha-hydroxystannanes and use for generating selenium-stabilized carbanions.

Selenium-stabilized carbanions are available by a route that does not involve acid-catalyzed formation of selenoacetals. Aldehydes are converted first into alpha-hydroxystannanes and then into alpha-(phenylseleno)stannanes. Treatment with BuLi affords selenium-stabilized carbanions by preferential Sn/Li exchange.