Despite the success of other synthetic efforts, we believed a
shorter and safer route was possible. Specifically, our goal was to
develop a synthetic strategy to prepare phidianidine A and B in a
straightforward, convergent fashion in which the guanidine was
installed first, eliminating unnecessary protecting group steps.
We report a streamlined synthesis of compounds 1 and 2 that is
two steps shorter than any known route, clarifies uncertainties in
the assignment of 1H and 13C NMR peaks, addresses important
safety issues, and was performed by undergraduates