Synthesis of the macrocyclic core of (-)-pladienolide B

An efficient synthesis of the macrocyclic core of (-)-pladienolide B is disclosed. The concise route relies on a chiral auxiliary-mediated asymmetric aldol addition and an osmium-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation to install the three oxygenated stereocenters of the macrocycle. This purely reagent-controlled and flexible strategy sets the stage for future analogue syntheses and structure-activity relationship plotting of the appealing anticancer lead structure pladienolide B.