During the course of our synthetic studies towards simplified eleuthesides, we have found that p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) protected allylic alcohols are compatible with the RCM reaction and can give better yields than the corresponding free allylic alcohols.

The synthesis of a number of novel simplified eleutheside analogues with potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties is described, using ring-closing metathesis as the key-step for obtaining the 6–10 fused bicyclic ring system.

A strategy featuring ring-closing metathesis as key reaction is applied to the synthesis of the sarcodictyin analogue 15. The precursor diene is accessed via a brief and efficient protocol, employing multiple stereoselective allylations. Simplified analogue 15 retains microtubule stabilising properties.