Coral terpenes are important molecules with numerous applications. Here, we describe a robust and simple method to produce coral terpene scaffolds at scale. As an example of the approach, here we discover, express, and characterize further klysimplexin R synthases, expanding the known enzymology of soft coral terpene cyclases. We hope that the underlying method described will enable widespread basic research into the functions of coral terpenes and their biosynthetic genes, as well as the commercial development of biomedically and technologically important molecules.

An \"sp2 -sp3 Stille coupling\" of the vinyl triflate 1 and the stannyl compound 2 is a key step toward the completion of the total synthesis of eleutherobin, a natural product exhibiting taxol-like cytotoxic activity.

Two total syntheses of eleutherobin (1) were published within a short period of time by the research groups of K. C. Nicolaou and S. J. Danishefsky. The broad interest in this marine natural product from the soft coral Eleutherobia sp. is attributed to its ability to inhibit the depolymerization of the microtubuli and thereby prevent the division of cancer cells.