The synthesis of the new bacteriocidal compound reutericyclin, 3-acetyl-1-(
2-trans-decenoyl)-2-hydroxy-5-isobutyl-Delta(2)-pyrrolin-4-one, is performe
d by coupling of N-(2-trans-decenoyl)-L-leucine to Meldrum's acid followed
by cyclization. The resulting N-acylated tetramic acid is directly C-acetyl
ated in position 3. HPLC-purification on RP-C-18 gave racemic reutericyclin
in high purity. 2D-NMR and FT-ICR-MS data are identical with those of natu
ral reutericyclin.