Total Synthesis of δ-Sanshool and Analogues Thereof

Two simple synthetic approaches were developed for the total synthesis of δ-sanshool, an isobutylamide characterized by a C14 pentaunsaturated chain with all trans double bonds and proposed as a promising lead for the treatment of type-1 diabetes due to its dual activity on cannabinoid (CB) receptors. The syntheses are based on a suitably protected core fragment derived from 1,4-butanediol. These strategies also enable the preparation of small libraries of chemical analogues modified at either the polyunsaturated alkyl chain or the amidic head for use in SAR studies.