The novel structure and pharmacological profile of phidianidine
A and B also inspired others to pursue their total synthesis, but
drawbacks of these pioneering efforts prompted us to explore an
alternative strategy.2,3 For example, although 1,2,4-oxadiazole
assembly was the key step in each synthesis, construction of the
linear portion included extraneous nitrogen protecting group
manipulations.2,3 One approach enlisted an azide as an amine protecting
group, but the preparation of low-molecular weight azides