Intramolecular ester exchange of potent cytotoxic kulokekahilide-2

Kulokekahilide-2 is a 26-membered cyclic depsipeptide that exhibits potent cytotoxicity against HeLa and P388 cells with IC₅₀ values of 3.2 and 16 ng/mL, respectively. We have achieved a total synthesis of natural kulokekahilide-2, the NMR spectra of which showed complex signals because of trans and cis conformers at the amide bond. Besides, the spectra revealed that a mixture of 26- and 24-membered cyclic depsipeptides had been produced due to intramolecular ester exchange. The isolated 24-membered compound was transformed into the 26-membered compound over a period of several days. The two isomers have been shown to be in equilibrium and to display almost the same cytotoxicity.