Total syntheses and in vivo quantitation of novel neurofuran and dihomo-isofuran derived from docosahexaenoic acid and adrenic acid.

Neurofurans (NeuroFs) and dihomo-isofurans (dihomo-IsoFs) are produced in vivo by non-enzymatic free-radical pathways from docosahexaenoic and adrenic acids, respectively. As these metabolites are produced in minute amounts, their analyses in biological samples remain challenging. Syntheses of neurofuran and dihomo-isofurans described are based on a pivotal strategy, thanks to an enantiomerically enriched intermediate, which allowed, for the first time, access to both families: the alkenyl and enediol. Owing to this formation, quantitation of specific NeuroF and dihomo-IsoFs in biological samples was attainable.