General strategies toward the syntheses of macrolide antibiotics. The total syntheses of 6-deoxyerythronolide B and oleandolide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja9806128

The asymmetric syntheses of 6-deoxyerythronolide B (1) and oleandolide (2) have been achieved, each in 18 linear steps. These syntheses demonstrate the utility of chiral β-keto imide building block 3 as a versatile building block for the aldol-based assemblage of polypropionate-derived natural products.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/ja9806128

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 5921-5942
5921
General Strategies toward the Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics.
The Total Syntheses of 6-Deoxyerythronolide B and Oleandolide
David A. Evans,* Annette S. Kim, Rainer Metternich, and Vance J. Novack
Contribution from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, HarVard UniVersity,
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
ReceiVed February 23, 1998
Abstract: The asymmetric syntheses of 6-deoxyerythronolide B (1) and oleandolide (2) have been achieved,
each in 18 linear steps. These syntheses demonstrate the utility of chiral â-keto imide building block 3 as a
versatile building block for the aldol-based assemblage of polypropionate-derived natural products.
Introduction
we describe the syntheses of the 6-deoxyerythronolide B (1)
and oleandolide (2) using this integrated reaction methodology.
Inspection of the 6-deoxyerythronolide B and oleandolide
seco acids suggested plausible routes to the syntheses of the
C1-C5 and C9-C13 subunits of each from a common building
block, â-keto imide 3, through its associated aldol constructions
(Scheme 2). For example, the C1-C5 region of each target
could be established from our previously reported Ti(IV)-
mediated syn aldol reactions of 3 with subsequent syn reduction
of the resulting aldol adducts. Similarly, the C9-C13 subunits
might result from the “other” syn aldol construction, obtainable
via the use of Sn(II) enolates, with subsequent application of
our hydroxyl-directed anti reduction methodology. The devel-
opment of â-keto imide 3 as the central building block for
macrolide synthesis is demonstrated in the syntheses of the
6-deoxyerythronolide B and oleandolide described in the
following sections.
Since their isolation in the 1950s,1 the erythromycins and
oleandomycin have served as pivotal members of the macrolide
family of antibiotics,2 both to the practicing clinician and to
the synthetic organic chemist. To the medical community, these
compounds represent a mainstay of the antibacterial arsenal due
to their low toxicity and high potency against Gram-positive
bacteria and mycoplasma.3 To the chemical community, these
structures have stimulated the development of new reactions
and concepts for acyclic stereocontrol.4 The biological precur-
sors of these antibiotics, 6-deoxyerythronolide B (1) and
oleandolide (2), are structurally homologous, differing only in
the degree of oxygenation at C8 and of substitution at C14.
Indeed, each seco acid bears evidence of the individual
propionate or acetate subunits that are iteratively incorporated
into their respective structures during biosynthesis (Scheme 1).
A long-term objective of this research program has been to
develop practical laboratory emulations of the series of acylation/
reduction reactions performed by the polyketide synthases5 and
more convergent variants thereof. Highlights of this program
have included the development of â-keto imides as dipropionate
building blocks,6 their diastereoselective aldol bond construc-
tions,7 and associated â-hydroxy ketone reductions.8 Applica-
tions of these reactions to the synthesis of several natural product
targets have recently appeared.9 In the present investigation,
(1) (a) Erythromycin: McGuire, J. M.; Bunch, R. L.; Anderson, R. C.;
Boaz, H. E.; Flynn, E. H.; Powell, H. M.; Smith, J. W. Antibiot. Chemother.
1952, 2, 281-283. (b) Oleandomycin: Sobin, B. A.; English, A. R.; Celmer,
W. D. Antibiot. Annu. 1955, 827-830.
(2) Macrolide Antibiotics. Chemistry, Biology, and Practice; Omura, S.,
Ed.; Academic Press: Orlando FL, 1984.
(3) Nakayama, I. In Macrolide Antibiotics. Chemistry, Biology, and
Practice; Omura, S., Ed.; Academic Press: Orlando, FL, 1984; pp 261-
298.
(4) For a review of synthetic efforts in this field dating through 1985,
see: Paterson, I.; Mansuri, M. M. Tetrahedron 1985, 41, 3569-3624.
(5) (a) Cortes, J.; Haydock, S. F.; Roberts, G. A.; Bevitt, D. J.; Leadlay,
P. F. Nature 1990, 348, 176-178. (b) Donadio, S.; Staver, M. J.; McAlpine,
J. B.; Swanson, S. J.; Katz, L. Science 1991, 252, 675-679. (c) Malpartida,
F.; Hopwood, D. A. Nature 1984, 309, 462-464.
(6) For the synthesis of â-keto imides, see: Evans, D. A.; Ennis, M. D.;
Le, T.; Mandel, N.; Mandel, G. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1984, 106, 1154-1156.
(7) For aldol bond constructions employing â-keto imide, see: (a) Evans,
D. A.; Clark, J. S.; Metternich, R.; Novack, V. J.; Sheppard, G. S. J. A.m
Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 866-868. (b) Evans, D. A.; Ng. H. P.; Clark, J. S.;
Rieger, D. L. Tetrahedron 1992, 2127-2142.
Synthesis of 6-Deoxyerythronolide B
Synthesis Plan. The 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthesis plan
was predicated upon the macrolactonizaton of a suitably
(8) For anti reductions, see: (a) Evans, D. A.; Chapman, K. T.; Carreira,
E. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 3560-3578. (b) Evans, D. A.; Hoveyda,
A. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 6447-6449. For syn reductions, see:
(c) Oishi, T.; Nakata, T. Acc. Chem. Res. 1984, 17, 338-344.
(9) (a) Lonomycin: Evans, D. A.; Ratz, A. M.; Huff, B. E.; Sheppard,
G. S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 3448-3467. (b) Rutamycin: Evans,
D. A.; Ng, H. P.; Rieger, D. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 11446-
11459. (c) Calyculin A: Evans, D. A.; Gage, J. R.; Leighton, J. L. J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 9434-9453.
S0002-7863(98)00612-X CCC: $15.00 © 1998 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 06/05/1998

5922 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
Scheme 1
Scheme 2
protected seco acid precursor, a reaction that is now well-
precedented. The resultant seco acid contains a notable degree
of symmetry, particularly if the oxidation states of C7 and C9
are normalized to the remaining non-methyl bearing carbons
as in 4 (Scheme 3). This intermediate was viewed to be an
attractive target for two reasons: (1) the addition of the C7-
hydroxyl substituent extended the number of subsequent aldol
disconnections that might be entertained (vide infra); (2)
precedent had established that macrocyclization cannot proceed
through a seco acid carrying a ketone at C9.10 This synthesis
plan would therefore incorporate the C7 deoxygenation event
which is also present in the biosynthetic route.5b
Seco acid template 4, with 12 alternating hydroxyl- and
methyl-bearing stereocenters, presented several aldol coupling
options. In particular, the two central aldol disconnections
illustrated in Scheme 4 were attractive from the standpoint of
convergency. Since the oxidation states at C7 and C9 were to
be modified in subsequent steps in the synthesis, the only
absolute stereochemical constraint in the aldol coupling process
was the establishment of the requisite configuration at the C8
methyl-bearing stereocenter. In addition, although the C9
hydroxyl stereochemistry would ultimately be lost through
oxidation, this center, as the 9-(S) diastereomer, has proved
instrumental in obtaining good yields in the macrocyclization
of other seco acid precursors containing a C9, C11 cyclic
protecting group.11 Drawing upon a wealth of data on metal
enolate aldol reactions,12 the C8-C9 bond construction was
examined first; however, an unprecedented reversal in enolate
face selectivity resulted in the abandonment of this fragment
coupling option13 in favor of the successful C7-C8 aldol
construction alternative that is developed in the ensuing discus-
sion.
Synthesis of the C1-C7 Subunit. â-Keto imide 3 provided
convenient access to the stereochemical array contained in the
C1-C7 substructure. Addition of methacrolein to the titanium
enolate derived from â-keto imide 3 under standard conditions
provided the syn aldol adduct 5 in high yield with excellent
selectivity (>99:1 diastereoselection) (Scheme 4).7b Chelate-
8c
controlled syn reduction of the C3-ketone with Zn(BH4)2
followed by protection of the resultant diol 6 as its acetonide
afforded diastereomerically pure olefin 7 in quantitative yield.14
Hydroboration15 of terminal olefin 7 with 9-BBN16 proceeded
with good stereoselectivity (85:15) to give a 73% isolated yield
of the desired anti product diastereomer. Finally, Swern
oxidation17 completed the synthesis of this fragment in 63%
overall yield.
Synthesis of the C8-C15 Subunit. As with the previous
fragment, the synthesis of the C8-C15 substructure began with
â-keto imide 3 (Scheme 5). Stannous triflate-mediated aldol
reaction of â-keto imide 3 with propionaldehyde afforded a 94:6
ratio of diastereomers from which the desired adduct 10 could
be crystallized in 84% yield.7a Quantitative reduction of aldol
adduct 10 with Na(AcO)3BH8a afforded the desired anti diol
(diastereoselection >99:1)7a which was quantitatively monosi-
lylated (TBSOTf) at the C13-hydroxyl with complete regiose-
lectivity. Hydroxyl-directed transamination (AlMe3, Me(MeO)-
NH‚HCl)18 afforded Weinreb amide 12, which upon treatment
with ethylmagnesium bromide provided hydroxy ketone 13a
in good overall yield.
In anticipation of the incorporation of a C9, C11 benzylidene
acetal at a later point in the synthesis, the C11-hydroxyl group
in 13a was masked as the p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) ether by
treatment with benzyltrichloroacetimidate19 and triflic acid,
affording a 56% yield of the desired PMB-protected ethyl ketone
(10) Masamune, S.; Hirama, M.; Mori, S.; Ali, S. A.; Garvey, D. S. J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 1981, 103, 1568-1571.
(11) (a) Woodward, R. B.; Logusch, E.; Nambiar, K. P.; Sakan, K.; Ward,
D. E.; Au-Yeung, B.-W.; Balaram, P.; Browne, L. J.; Card, P. J.; Chen, C.
H.; Chenevert, R. B.; Fliri, A.; Frobel, K.; Gais, H.-J.; Garratt, D. G.;
Hayakawa, K.; Heggie, W.; Hesson, D. P.; Hoppe, D.; Hoppe, I.; Hyatt, J.
A.; Ikeda, D.; Jacobi, P. A.; Kim K. S.; Kobuke, Y.; Kojima, K.; Krowicki,
K.; Lee, V. J.; Leutert, T.; Malchenko, S.; Martens, J.; Matthews, R. S.;
Ong, B. S.; Press: J. B.; Rajan Babu, T. V.; Rousseau, G.; Sauter, H. M.;
Suzuki, M.; Tatsuta, K.; Tolbert, L. M.; Truesdale, E. A.; Uchida, I.; Ueda,
Y.; Uyehara, T.; Vasella, A. T.; Vladuchick, W. C.; Wade, P. A.; Williams,
R. M.; Wong, H. N.-C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1981, 103, 3213-3215. (b)
Hikota, M.; Tone, H.; Horita, K.; Yonemitsu, O. Tetrahedron 1990, 46,
4613-4628. (c) Yonemitsu, O. J. Synth. Org. Chem., Jpn. 1994, 52, 74-
83.
(13) (a) Evans D. A.; Kim A. S. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 53-56. (b)
Kim, A. S. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University, Dec 1996.
(14) Ng, H. P. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University, Aug 1993.
(15) Still, W. C.; Barrish, J. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1983, 105, 2487-
2489.
(16) Knights, E. F.; Brown, H. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1968, 90, 5280-
5281.
(17) Mancuso, A. J.; Swern, D. Synthesis 1981, 165-185.
(18) (a) Basha, A.; Lipton, M.; Weinreb, S. M. Tetrahedron Lett. 1977,
4171-4174. (b) Levin, J. L.; Turos, E.; Weinreb, S. M. Synth. Commun.
1982, 12, 989-993.
(19) Iverson, T.; Bundle, D. R. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1981,
1240-1241.
(12) Evans, D. A.; Dart, M. J.; Duffy, J. L.; Rieger, D. L. J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 1995, 117, 9073-9074 and references therein.

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5923
Scheme 3
13b. Formation of the (Z) enolsilane 14 was achieved by
selective enolization of ethyl ketone 13 with lithium bis-
(dimethylphenyl)silazide,20 and subsequent silylation of the
derived lithium enolate with trimethylsilyl triflate in 85% yield.
Enolization selectivity for the (Z) enolsilane under these
conditions was >95:5.
Aldol Fragment Coupling. With the requisite fragments in
hand, the critical aldol fragment coupling reaction was inves-
tigated. A mixture of aldehyde 9 (1.6 equiv) and enolsilane 14
(1.0 equiv) was treated with 10 equiv of BF3‚Et2O (CH2Cl2,
-95 f -78 °C, 1.5 h) to provide the desired aldol adduct 15
in 83% yield as a single isomer (eq 1, Scheme 6). Chelate-
8c
controlled reduction of 15 with Zn(BH4)2 afforded diol 16
(95% yield, >95:5 diastereoselection), thereby establishing the
desired 9-(S) hydroxyl configuration required for macrocycliza-
tion.
Scheme 4
Benzylidene acetal 17 was then formed as a single isomer
through an anhydrous DDQ oxidation in >99% yield, dif-
ferentiating the C7 and C9 alcohols and constraining the C9 and
C11 hydroxyls for macrocyclization. The significance of this
stereogenic center on macrocyclization will be discussed at a
later stage (vide infra). Stereochemical characterization based
on coupling constants21 and NOESY spectra of benzylidene
acetal 17 and the acetonide of diol 18 (dimethoxypropane, CSA)
clearly established not only the syn selectivity of the Zn(BH4)2
reduction, but also the syn selectivity for the aldol reaction
(Scheme 6). Thus, all four newly formed stereocenters were
established with the predicted sense of induction. Most
importantly, the desired configuration of the C8 methyl group
was established with high selectivity.
Stereochemical Analogy for the Aldol Reaction. The
double stereodifferentiating C7-C8 aldol fragment coupling
reaction described above (Scheme 6, eq 1) was designed on
the basis of a series of analogous aldol processes where the
impact of chirality in each of the reacting partners was
individually assessed in reactions with an achiral counterpart.22
Experiments from this independent study which are relevant to
the present reaction are summarized in Scheme 7. These data
establish that: (1) with chiral enolsilanes, face selectivity may
be controlled by enolsilane geometry (eqs 2 and 3); (2) with
chiral aldehydes, Felkin face selectivity is exceptionally high
(eq 4); and (3) due to the intervention of open transition states,
syn/anti diastereoselection is intrinsically low. In double
stereodifferentiating Mukaiyama aldol processes, the stereo-
chemical determinants for the forming methyl and hydroxyl
stereocenters are localized in the chiral enolsilane and aldehyde
reaction partners, respectively. Thus, in the double stereodif-
ferentiating process used to assemble the erythronolide frag-
ments (eq 1), we conclude that aldehyde 9 provides dominant
control over the forming C7-hydroxyl-bearing stereocenter while
Scheme 5
(20) Masamune, S.; Ellingboe, J. W.; Choy, W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982,
104, 5526-5528.
(21) See: (a) Evans, D. A.; Rieger, D. L.; Gage, J. R. Tetrahedron Lett.
1990, 31, 7099-7100. (b) Dart, M. J. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University,
May 1995.
(22) Evans, D. A.; Yang, M. G.; Dart, M. J.; Duffy, J. L.; Kim, A. S. J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 9598-9599.

5924 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
Scheme 6
enolsilane 14 dictates the stereochemistry of the forming C8-
methyl-bearing stereocenter.
isolation. Given this hypothesis, an increase in the concentration
of Bu3SnH should provide an in situ quench of the oxygen-
stabilized benzyl radical. This trend was verified by a compar-
ing the outcomes of low and high concentrations of Bu3SnH.
While at low concentration no desired product was obtained,
when the reaction was carried out in neat Bu3SnH, quantitative
conversion to a 3.3:1 mixture of deoxygenated benzylidene
acetals was observed (vide infra), from which the desired
compound could be obtained following equilibration (CSA, CH2-
Cl2) in 84% yield.
Scheme 7a
In preparation for macrocyclization, imide hydrolysis from
the carboxyl terminus and cleavage of the C13-TBS protecting
group was required to afford the seco acid (Scheme 9). Given
the acid lability of the two cyclic protecting groups, tetrabu-
tylammonium fluoride proved optimal for deprotection of the
C13 alcohol. However, since â-elimination of the imide occurred
at a rate competitive with deprotection, initial conversion to the
carboxylic acid (LiOOH, 72% yield) was required to buffer the
acidity of the R-proton. Under these conditions, desilylation
was achieved in 88% yield, to afford seco acid 23. Macrocy-
clization was performed as a two-step, one-flask procedure
whereby an intermediate mixed anhydride was formed from
2,4,6-trichlorobenzoyl chloride24 (1.0 × 10-2 M benzene) before
treatment with excess DMAP. This procedure afforded exclu-
sively monolide 24 (Scheme 9) in 86% yield without the use
of high dilution conditions.
The role of the benzylidene acetal in the success of this
macrocyclization merits commentary. The critical function of
C9,C11 cyclic protecting groups in the preorganization of the
seco acid was first revealed in the Woodward erythromycin
synthesis.11 Stork has provided additional evidence for this type
of conformational organization in his 9-(S)-dihydroerythronolide
A synthesis.25 In that investigation, only the (R) acetal
diastereomer was successfully cyclized. Fortuitously, the single
isomer obtained on our substrates, through both DDQ oxidative
acetal formation and acid equilibration following the deoxy-
genation step, corresponded to the desired (R) acetal configu-
Synthesis of 6-Deoxyerythronolide B. At this juncture, all
the stereocenters in the target had been installed, leaving only
final refunctionalizations and macrocyclization to complete the
synthesis. The C7 position was deoxygenated in a two-step
procedure through elaboration of the alcohol to the derived
methyl xanthate in 84% yield (Scheme 8) and reduction via
Barton radical deoxygenation.23 This latter step required
significant optimization. At a stoichiometry of 1.1 equiv of
Bu3SnH per equiv of substrate (cat. AIBN, 0.03 M in toluene,
80 °C), the desired benzylidene acetal 20 was obtained in only
20% yield (Scheme 8, Table 1). The balance of the material
was obtained as a 1:1 mixture of deoxygenated p-methoxyben-
zoate regioisomers 21 and 22. As shown in Table 1, employ-
ment of degassed solvent failed to rectify this problem and
suggested a mechanism originating in intramolecular 1,5-
hydrogen radical abstraction from the benzylidene acetal by the
C7 carbon radical followed by oxidative scission, possibly during
(24) See Experimental Section for more details. Also see: (a) Hikota,
M.; Sakurai, Y.; Horita, K.; Yonemitsu, O. Tetrahedron Lett. 1990, 31,
6367-6370. (b) Hikota, M.; Tone, H.; Horita, K.; Yonemitsu, O. J. Org.
Chem. 1990, 55, 7-9. (c) Inanaga, J.; Hirata, K.; Saeki, H.; Katsuki, T.;
Yamaguchi, M. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1979, 52, 1989-1993.
(25) Stork, G.; Rychnovsky, S. D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 1565-
1567.
(23) (a) Barton, D. H. R.; McCombie, S. W. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans.
1 1975, 1574-1585. (b) Barton, D. H. R.; Dorchak, J.; Jaszberenyi, J. Cs.
Tetrahedron 1992, 48, 7435-7446.

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5925
Scheme 8
ration. Minimization of syn-pentane interactions within the
dioxolane structure leads to the remarkable selectivity found
for this acetal isomer which contains the greater number of axial
substituents. Unavoidable nonbonded interactions would exist
in the unobserved (S) acetal isomer (Scheme 10).26 Thus, our
system proved ideally geared for macrocyclization.
to acetonide deprotection under HCl/THF conditions29 to afford
the 6-deoxyerythronolide B in 85% yield. This synthetic
material proved identical in all respects (1H NMR, 13C NMR,
IR, Rf, [R]D, FAB MS) with a natural sample.
Scheme 10a
Scheme 9
Synthesis of Oleandolide
Synthesis Plan. The synthesis plan for the oleandolide (2)
subunits30 was closely related to the plan implemented for
6-deoxyerythronolide B (1) (cf. Scheme 2) where routes to the
construction of the C1-C8 and C9-C14 fragments again
depended heavily on the â-keto imide methodology introduced
in the preceding section. The two routes differed in the
strategies that were employed at the fragment coupling stage
of the syntheses. In the present synthesis, the decision was made
Macrolactone 24 was submitted to hydrogenolysis with
Pearlman’s catalyst (20% Pd(OH)2/C) in 2-propanol to deprotect
diol 25 in 89% yield (Scheme 11).27 PCC next effected
regioselective oxidation of the C9 carbinol28 in 76% yield prior
(26) For a related example of 1,3-anti dioxolane diastereoselectivity,
see: Schreiber, S. L.; Wang, Z. Tetrahedron Lett. 1988, 29, 4085-4088.
(27) This compound was synthesized previously. See: Myles, D. C.;
Danishefsky, S. J.; Schulte, G. J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 1636-1648.
(28) (a) Corey, E. J.; Melvin, L. S. Tetrahedron Lett. 1975, 929-932.
(b) This same oxidation was performed by Danishefsky et al. (See ref 27).
(29) Corey, E. J.; Kim, S.; Yoo, S.; Nicolaou, K. C.; Melvin, L. S.;
Brunelle, D. J.; Falck, J. R.; Trybulski, E. J.; Lett, R.; Sheldrake, P. W. J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 1978, 100, 4620-4622.
(30) Evans, D. A.; Kim, A. S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 11323-
11324.

5926 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
Scheme 11
Scheme 12
to introduce the C8-epoxide moiety into the assembled acyclic
precursor, thereby establishing all stereocenters of the molecule
prior to macrocyclization (Scheme 11). In previous syntheses
of oleandolide, epoxidation after macrocycle construction proved
problematic since the conformation of the ring system exposes
the undesired face of the 1,1-disubstituted olefin to reagent
attack.31 Although Tatsuta et al. effected stereoselective epox-
idation on a macrocyclic derivative,31 Paterson et al. were unable
to duplicate this transformation on related analogues. However,
in this latter synthesis, it was demonstrated that the macrocyclic
epoxide could be constructed via dimethylsulfonium methylide
addition to the corresponding C8 ketone.32
Ample precedent exists for the directing influence of allylic
alcohols in the (V5+)-mediated epoxidation process (eq 5).33
Furthermore, the 9-(S)-hydroxyl configuration which should
direct epoxidation to the desired face of the olefin would also
reinforce the macrocyclization process (vide supra). The
implementation of this plan is detailed in the following
discussion.
Synthesis of the C1-C8 Subunit. The synthesis of the C1-
C8 substructure (Scheme 12) began with the alkylation of the
lithium enolate derived from imide 26 with 2,3-dibromopropene
to afford product 27 in 79% yield as a single isomer, thereby
establishing the C6 stereocenter with essentially complete
stereochemical control. LiBH4 reduction of the imide afforded
the known chiral alcohol which was subjected to subsequent
Swern oxidation to provide aldehyde 28 in 88% yield over the
two steps.34
capricious. Under the normal enolization conditions (TiCl4,
Et3N), a 53% yield of the desired aldol adduct 29 was obtained;
however, it was found that a slightly modified titanium enolate
of undefined structure (i-PrOTiCl3, Et3N) afforded significantly
improved yields (95% yield, diastereoselection >95:5).35,36
Aldol adduct 29 was then subjected to chelate-controlled
8c
reduction with Zn(BH4)2 to afford the syn diol isomer (89%
yield) as the only stereoisomer observed by 1H NMR spectros-
copy. The resultant C3,C5 diol was protected as the cyclic
benzylidene acetal in 83% yield.
With the protected vinyl bromide 30 in hand, a number of
vinylmetal-based carbonyl additions were explored. The Ni/
Cr-mediated additions of vinyl iodides to aldehydes37 seemed
initially appealing since the desired C9 hydroxyl stereochemistry
might be established through Felkin control emanating from the
C10 stereocenter. However, when this transformation was
attempted using an appropriately configured chiral aldehyde,
the undesired 9-(R) isomer was preferentially obtained.13b Vinyl
bromide 30 was next converted to the corresponding vinylstan-
nane with the intention of evaluating the Stille Pd-catalyzed
acylation process.38 Preliminary stannylation studies employed
vinyl bromide 27 (Scheme 12) as a surrogate for the real system.
Stannylation under various Pd-catalyzed conditions was plagued
by product protodestannylation, homodimerization, and butyl
transfer from the reagent bis(tributyltin). Variation of solvent,
Pd source, ligand, and additional addends39 failed to provide
greater than 60% yield of the desired product. Working under
The double stereodifferentiating aldol reaction of the titanium
enolate derived from â-keto imide 3 with aldehyde 28 proved
(35) In the preliminary work on Ti-mediated auxiliary-controlled aldol
reactions, Ti(i-PrO)Cl3 was shown to exhibit slightly diminished selectivity
relative to TiCl4: (a) Bilodeau, M. T. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University,
1993. This trend is also true for Ti-mediated Michael reaction. See: (b)
Evans, D. A.; Bilodeau, M. T.; Somers, T. C.; Clardy, J.; Cherry, D.; Kato,
Y. J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56, 5750-5752.
(36) Use of Ti(Oi-Pr)Cl3 provided a more nucleophilic enolate to enhance
conversion. Previous cases of diminished reactivity requiring the use of
this stronger nucleophile all contained the element of R,â-unsaturation on
the aldehyde. See refs 13b and 14.
(37) (a) Kishi, Y. Pure and Appl. Chem. 1992, 64, 343-350. (b) Chiral
ligands were employed to no avail in an attempt to turn over the
stereochemical induction in this reaction. See: Chen, C.; Tagami, K.; Kishi,
Y. J. Org. Chem. 1995, 60, 5386-5387.
(38) (a) Labadie, J. W.; Stille, J. K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1983, 105, 6129-
6137. (b) Labadie, J. W.; Tueting, D.; Stille, J. K. J. Org. Chem. 1983, 48,
4634-4642.
(31) (a) Paterson, I.; Norcross, R. D.; Ward, R. A.; Romea, P.; Lister,
M. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 11287-11314. (b) Tatsuta, K.;
Ishiyama, T.; Tajima, S.; Koguchi, Y.; Gunji, H. Tetrahedron Lett. 1990,
31, 709-712.
(32) This procedure exploited the inherent macrocyclic conformation in
establishing the correct stereochemistry, as corroborated by a detailed
molecular modeling study. (See ref 31a).
(33) (a) Sharpless, K. B.; Verhoeven, T. R. Aldrichimica Acta 1979, 12,
63-73. (b) Rossiter, B. E.; Verhoeven, T. R.; Sharpless, K. B. Tetrahedron
Lett. 1979, 49, 4733-4736. (c) For a general review of directed reactions,
see: Hoveyda, A. H.; Evans, D. A.; Fu, G. C. Chem. ReV. 1993, 93, 1307-
1370.
(34) This three-step sequence was performed in the synthesis of X-206
from these laboratories with the exception that norephedrine-derived
oxazolidinone was used as the chiral auxiliary. See: Evans, D. A.; Bender,
S. L.; Morris, J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 2506-2526.

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5927
Scheme 13
vinylstannane 31 and acid chloride 35, formed the desired enone
36 at ambient temperature in 85% yield (eq 7).
the assumption that transmetalation is the rate-determining step
in the catalytic cycle,40 the addition of either weaker σ-donor
ligands, such as AsPh3, or of transmetalation facilitators, such
as CdCl2 and CuI,37 was explored, but these modifications failed
to ameliorate the problem. However, replacement of bis-
(tributylstannane) with the less hindered hexamethylditin41
resulted in clean transmetalation under Pd(PPh3)4-catalyzed
conditions, affording the model vinylstannane in quantitative
yield. When applied to the fully elaborated system, vinylstan-
nane 31 was formed in 90% yield (eq 6).
Synthesis of the 9-(R) Macrocycle Diastereomer. The
crucial reduction of the enone was undertaken to establish the
9-(S) hydroxyl configuration necessary to direct epoxidation at
the C8-olefin (vide supra). Although Zn(BH4)2 has been shown
to chelate to â-alkoxy groups and effect stereoselective reduction
of the neighboring ketone,46 the reaction proceeded sluggishly
even at ambient temperature to afford a 3:1 ratio of diastereo-
mers, the major product obtained in only 36% yield (Scheme
14). Contrary to ample precedent for the operation of chelation
control on similar substrates,47 the major diastereomer was later
identified as the undesired 9-(R) alcohol 37 (vide infra).
Attempts to determine the relative stereochemistry of the nascent
hydroxyl through its relationship with C11 proved futile due to
the difficulty of selectively cleaving the C11-benzyl ether in the
presence of the other functionality. Furthermore, attempts at a
Sharpless kinetic resolution epoxidation yielded no more than
a trace amount of product.48 Instead, allylic alcohol 37 was
converted to carboxylic acid 38 to afford a macrocyclization
precursor.13b
Under modified Yamaguchi conditions,49 carboxylic acid 38
was cyclized to a 2.5:1 ratio of monolide 39 to diolide at high
dilution (Scheme 14). However, sufficient monolide was
obtained to ascertain that the undesired 9-(R) reduction isomer
had predominated. A NOESY experiment performed on the
monolide revealed a telltale NOE between H9 and H10 support-
ing the stereochemical assignment of the 9-(R) hydroxyl
configuration. Direction of the epoxidation to the undesired
face of the olefin was ascertained by the presence of convincing
NOE evidence, in particular the interaction between H11a and
H8b. Attempts to invert the 9-(R) stereocenter of 37 under
Mitsunobu conditions50 or reduce the C9 ketone of 36 with chiral
agents51 was thwarted by steric hindrance. Given these results,
the decision was made to reconfigure the C9-C14 fragment such
that the C11-hydroxyl moiety could be selectively revealed prior
to C9 ketone reduction. This decision was based on the
Synthesis of the C9-C14 Subunit. As in the 6-deoxyeryth-
ronolide B synthesis, construction of the C9-C14 oleandolide
subunit began with a Sn(II)-mediated â-keto imide aldol reaction
(Scheme 13). Addition of acetaldehyde to the Sn(II) enolate
derived from 3 afforded the anticipated aldol adduct 32 under
standard reaction conditions7a with 83:17 stereoselectivity. This
result is consistent with previously established trends for this
reaction which exhibited slightly diminished selectivity with
smaller aldehydes.7a The product was most conveniently carried
on without purification through quantitative Na(AcO)3BH
reduction8a and immediate monosilylation to afford the C5-
triisopropylsilyl (TIPS) ether 33 as the sole regioisomer in 73%
yield for the three-step sequence.42 Protection of the C11
hydroxyl as the derived benzyl ether (benzyltrichloroacetimidate,
cat. TfOH, CH2Cl2) proceeded in 84% yield. Orthogonally
protected imide 34 was then cleaved to the carboxylic acid with
LiOOH43 at 0 °C (94% yield) prior to transformation to acid
chloride 35 under Vilsmeier conditions.44
Stille Fragment Coupling. The Pd-catalyzed coupling
between vinylstannane 31 and isobutyryl chloride was examined
first to determine the precise conditions for this transformation.
The optimal procedure developed for this reaction entailed
treatment with Pd2(dba)3 and Hu¨nig’s base in benzene44 at 80
°C, to suppress protodestannylation, dimerization, and olefin
isomerization.45 Under conditions similar to those established
for the model system, the coupling of the actual intermediates,
(39) (a) Farina, V.; Kapadia, S.; Krishnan, B.; Wang, C.; Liebeskind, L.
S. J. Org, Chem. 1994, 59, 5905-5911. (b) Farina, V.; Krishnan, B. J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 9585-9595.
(40) For a review on palladium-catalyzed organostannane cross-coupling
reactions, see: (a) Stille, J. K. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1986, 25, 508-
524. For more detailed mechanistic discussions, see: (b) Gillie, A.; Stille,
J. K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1980, 102, 4933-4941. (c) Loar, M. K.; Stille, J.
K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1981, 103, 4174-4181. (d) Moravskiy, A.; Stille, J.
K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1981, 103, 4182-4186. (e) Stille, J. K.; Lau, K. S.
Y. Acc. Chem. Res. 1977, 10, 434-442.
(45) For a discussion on the use of base to suppress protodestannylation,
see: Black, W. C. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University, Aug 1992. Trisub-
stituted olefins are known to isomerize under the reaction conditions to the
more thermodynamically favored regioisomer (see ref 44a).
(46) Evans, D. A.; Ng, H. P.; Rieger, D. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993,
115, 11446-11459.
(47) (a) Reetz, M. T. Acc. Chem. Res. 1993, 26, 462-468 and references
therein.
(41) Scott, W. J.; Stille, J. K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1986, 108, 3033-3040.
(42) This protecting group was chosen to replace a TBS ether which
was used in an earlier route and found to be too labile both under the acidic
conditions required for benzylation and under the basic conditions required
for oxazolidinone removal.
(43) Evans, D. A.; Britton, T. C.; Ellman, J. A. Tetrahedron Lett. 1987,
28, 6141-6144.
(44) Yoshihara, M.; Eda, T.; Sakaki, K.; Maeshima, T. Synthesis 1980,
746-748.
(48) (a) Martin, V. S.; Woodard, S. S.; Katsuki, T.; Yamada, Y.; Ikeda,
M.; Sharpless, K. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc, 1981, 103, 6237-6240. (b) Gao,
Y.; Hanson, R. M.; Klunder, J. M.; Ko, S. Y.; Masamune, H.; Sharpless,
K. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 5765-5780.
(49) See Experimental Section for more details. Also see ref 26.
(50) (a) Hughes, D. L.; Reamer, R. A.; Bergan, J. J.; Grabowski, E. J. J.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 6487-6491. (b) Farina, V. Tetrahedron Lett.
1989, 30, 6645-6648.
(51) Corey, E. J. Pure Appl. Chem 1990, 62, 1209-1216.

5928 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
Scheme 14
assumption that an exposed hydroxyl would be more prone to
participate in chelate-controlled reduction than the analogous
benzyl ether.
monodesilylated product without appreciable loss of the C13-
TIPS ether. Fortunately, chelate-controlled reduction of this
substrate with Zn(BH4)2 did afford the desired diol 43 in a >99:1
ratio of diastereomers as determined by HPLC analysis of the
unpurified reaction mixture. With the requisite C9 stereoisomer
in hand, we were gratified to obtain a 91% yield of a single
epoxide isomer 44 from reaction with VO(acac)2 and tert-butyl
hydroperoxide. Thus, all stereocenters of oleandolide were
established on an acyclic precursor in 11 linear steps from
propionyl oxazolidinone.
Scheme 15
Experience from the preceding route revealed an inherent
instability of the 1,2-epoxy alcohol array toward macrocycliza-
tion conditions.13b As diol epoxide 44 also proved to be
extremely labile,52 its persilylation was attempted using TBSOTf
(2,6-lutidine, rt) (eq 8); however, the major product isolated
Synthesis of the 9-(S) Macrocycle Isomer. In the revised
synthesis of the C9-C14 fragment, alcohol 33 was protected
with triethylsilyl triflate (TESOTf) in quantitative yield prior
to hydrolysis by LiOOH in 91% yield (Scheme 15). Treatment
with oxalyl chloride and DMF then afforded the acid chloride
for Stille coupling with 41 without measurable loss of the labile
silyl groups. Under conditions optimized for the previous route,
vinylstannane 31 and acid chloride 41 were coupled in 88%
yield (Scheme 16). Treatment of enone 42 with HF‚pyridine
at 0 °C for no more than 2.5 h then afforded 95% of the
Scheme 16
from this reaction was identified as tetrahydrofuran 46 (vide
infra). Despite this demonstrated tendency toward internal ring
closure, C9-monosilylation could be achieved in 83% yield
without the accompanying ring closure when silylation was
carried out at low temperatures (excess TBSOTf, -78 °C).
Nevertheless, C9,C11-bis(silylation) could not be achieved
without concomitant rearrangement. Although epoxy alcohol
45 exhibited some acid sensitivity,53 monoprotection sufficiently
attenuated the reactivity of this intermediate so that it could be
effectively carried forward in the synthesis.
(52) Diol 33 could only be purified using Et3N-buffered silica gel.
(53) Et3N-buffered chromatography found prophylactic use, but was not
always necessary in this series of compounds.

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5929
Scheme 17
The terminal stage of the synthesis is summarized in Scheme
17. Imide hydrolysis with basic hydrogen peroxide afforded
the derived carboxylic acid 47 which was isolated as the Et3-
NH+ salt in 93% yield.54 This salt was subjected to a range of
deprotection conditions designed to liberate the C13-alcohol in
preparation for macrocyclization while minimizing the formation
of byproducts arising from tetrahydrofuran ring closure (eq 8).
Under optimized conditions, Et3N‚HF provided the desired
product 48 in 79% yield with minimal rearrangement to either
of the tetrahydrofuran byproducts. Macrocyclization of the 9-(S)
TBS ether 48 proceeded using modified Yamaguchi conditions26
to afford a quantitative yield of the monolide 51. This result is
in marked contrast to the macrocyclization of the 9-(R) isomer
(Scheme 14), where even at high dilution roughly 30% diolide
was formed. It seems reasonable to attribute these empirical
cyclization results to the more favorable formation of monolide
from the 9-(S) TBS ether configuration than from the 9-(R)
configuration which positions the sterically demanding TBS
protecting group in a pseudoaxial position.55
The stereochemistry of all the centers in lactone 51 was
confirmed by 1H NMR coupling constants and a NOESY
experiment. Correlation between the calculated and empirical
coupling constants confirmed the correct configuration of all
stereocenters on the backbone of the lactone. The stereochem-
istry of the hitherto unproven quaternary epoxide was suggested
by the absence of NOEs between either H8a or H8b and the C11-
(54) Isolation of the acid as the Et3NH+ salt was thought to prevent not
only tetrahydrofuran formation, but, on the basis of related work on
6-deoxyerythronolide B, also to inhibit R,â-elimination of the acid during
silyl deprotection.
OH. Moreover, the regioselectivity of the C9-silylation reaction
was confirmed by the presence of the H9TC11sOH interaction
in conjunction with an NOE between C11-OH and H13.
Calculations also found a hydrogen bond between the C11-
OH and the epoxide oxygen. This interaction might have aided
conversion to the macrocycle through preorganization of the
seco acid.
The synthesis was completed by the removal of the C9-TBS
ether by HF‚pyr at room temperature over the course of 3 days
(Scheme 17). Selective oxidation of the C9-alcohol in diol 52
was achieved using the Parikh-Doering procedure56 (SO3‚
pyridine) to afford the protected oleandolide structure in 84%
yield.10,28a The benzylidene acetal was then hydrogenolyzed
in quantitative yield (20% Pd(OH)2/C, 1,4-dioxane) to afford
oleandolide (2) as the expected 3:1 mixture of 5,9-hemiacetal
and 9-keto ring-chain tautomers. The spectral and chromato-
graphic data generated for this mixture was identical to the
published data and that obtained from a natural sample. In
further confirmation of the success of the synthesis, the triacetate
derivative 53 was prepared and its properties also demonstrated
to be identical (1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, Rf, [R]D, FAB MS) to
the published data and naturally derived material.
Conclusions
The syntheses of 6-deoxyerythronolide B and oleandolide
were both completed in 18 linear steps from the common â-keto
imide dipropionyl building block 3. More recently, Paterson
has introduced the related dipropionyl synthon (S)-54 whose
utility has been demonstrated in the construction of polypro-
pionate natural products including a recent synthesis of olean-
dolide.31 These two building blocks afford complementary
solutions to the aldol-based assemblage of polypropionate-
derived carbon chains displaying alternating methyl and hy-
droxyl functionality.
(55) Monte Carlo MM2 calculations performed for the erythronolide
series revealed a distinct trend in A values for substituents at the C9 position
(where 9-(S) is considered axial and 9-(R) equatorial in IUPAC nomenclature
which reverses the priorities found in the erythronolide series due to the
presence of the epoxide). The following values were obtained: OH, 0.88
kcal/mol; OAc, 1.27 kcal/mol; OTMS, 1.55 kcal/mol. This is consistent
with the preferential closure of seco acids containing a large substituent
which ultimately can achieve the pseudoequatorial position on the macro-
cycle. Similar calculations were performed by Paterson. See ref 31a.
(56) Parikh, J. R.; von E. Doering, W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1967, 89, 5505-
5507.

5930 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
J ) 3.0 Hz, 1H), 2.79 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 1.72 (s, 3H),
1.49 (d, J ) 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf )
0.75 (5% acetone/CH2Cl2). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M +
Na]+ 382.1630, found 382.1635.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4S,5R)-3,5-dihydroxy-2,4,6-tri-
methyl-1-oxo-6-hepenyl]-2-oxazolidinone (6). To a clear
yellow solution of purified aldol adduct (7.07 g, 19.7 mmol) in
400 mL of CH2Cl2 at -78 °C was added a solution of Zn-
(BH4)2 in Et2O (150 mL, 0.2 M solution). The resultant clear
solution was stirred for 15 min at -78 °C before the reaction
was quenched by the addition 300 mL of a saturated aqueous
solution of NH4Cl at -78 °C. The mixture was stirred
vigorously as it was warmed to ambient temperature. After 10
min at ambient temperature, the mixture was diluted with 100
mL of CH2Cl2, the layers were separated, and the aqueous layer
was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 150 mL). The combined
organic extracts were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concen-
trated in vacuo. The resultant clear colorless oil was azeotroped
with MeOH (5 × 300 mL) and acetic acid (1 × 5 mL) with the
first MeOH azeotrope, followed by heptane (1 × 300 mL) to
obtain 7.22 g (100%) of a clear colorless foam. Analysis of
Our goals in undertaking these syntheses have been two-
fold: (1) we have demonstrated the application of our chiral
aldol methodology in the construction of propionate fragments;
and (2) we identified convergent fragment coupling strategies
which address the installation of remaining functionalization
and cyclization of this family of macrolide antibiotics. The
syntheses of 6-deoxyerythronolide B and oleandolide clearly
demonstrate the rapid assembly of the chiral subunits using the
â-keto imide dipropionyl building block 3 which required
minimal refunctionalization to ready the fragments for coupling.
This flexibility facilitated the exploration of several different
coupling strategies en route to the targets. From this brief
survey, it is possible, in retrospect, to envision that 6-deoxy-
erythronolide B as well as several other members of this family
also might be convergently constructed using the Stille coupling
strategy followed either hydrogenation or oxygenation.
1
the unpurified material by H NMR spectroscopy revealed a
>95:5 ratio of diastereomers. This material was carried on
unpurified to the next reaction. However, some of the major
diastereomer could be isolated without epimerization or lac-
tonization by flash chromatography (30% EtOAc/hexanes). Data
for the isolated diastereomer: [R]23D -72.2° (c 1.05, CH2Cl2);
IR (solution, CH2Cl2) 3532, 3029, 2977, 2935, 1781, 1692, 1457
cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.37-7.19 (m, 5H), 5.03
(s, 1H), 4.93 (d, J ) 1.3 Hz, 1H), 4.69 (m, 1H), 4.23 (app t, J
) 7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.23 (app s, 1H), 4.19 (dd, J ) 9.1, 3.0 Hz,
1H), 4.10 (ddd, J ) 6.2, 4.3, 2.8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 4.01 (app quint,
J ) 6.7 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 3.25 (dd. J ) 13.4, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 3.06
(d, J ) 2.8 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.41 (d,
J ) 2.3 Hz, 1H), 1.80 (m, 1H), 1.69 (s, 3H), 1.34 (d, J ) 6.8
Hz, 3H), 0.88 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.09 (30% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 384.1787,
found 384.1788.
Experimental Section57
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,4R,5R)-5-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethyl-
1,3-dioxo-6-hepteyl]-2-oxazolidinone (5). To solution of 5.70
g (19.7 mmol) â-keto imide in 80 mL of CH2Cl2 at -5 °C was
add via syringe 2.38 mL (21.7 mmol) of TiCl4 neat, affording
a dark yellow solution which was treated immediately with 3.89
mL (21.7 mmol) of Hu¨nig’s base. The resultant deep red
solution was stirred 1 h at -5 °C, before it was cooled to -78
°C. Methacrolein which had been freshly distilled two times
was added at this time (3.26 mL, 39.4 mmol). After stirring at
-78 °C for 30 min, the reaction was warmed to -50 °C and
stirred for an additional 30 min. A second equal portion of
methacrolein was then added and the reaction stirred for 30 min
at -50 °C. To the resultant brown solution was added 100
mL of pH 7 buffer, and the mixture was stirred vigorously as
it warmed to ambient temperature. The mixture was partitioned
between 100 mL of saturated aqueous NH4Cl and 150 mL of
Et2O, and the layers separated. The aqueous layer was extracted
with Et2O (2 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were
washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (1 × 100 mL) and
brine (1 × 100 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concen-
trated in vacuo, to afford 7.00 g (99% mass balance) of a pale
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5S,6R)-6-(1-methylethenyl)-
2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (7).
To a solution of 14.2 g diol (39.4 mmol) in 400 mL of 2,2-
dimethoxypropane at ambient temperature was added 100 mg
(0.430 mmol) of CSA. The resultant mixture was stirred at
ambient temperature for 4 h before being quenched by the
addition of 10.0 mL of Et3N. After filtration through 30 mL
of silica, the solution was concentrated in vacuo, and purified
by flash chromatography (linear gradient 7 to 20% EtOAc/
hexanes, 11 × 16 cm SiO2) to afford 14.2 g (90% over three
steps) of a white moist crystalline solid: [R]23D -83.7° (c 1.27,
CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3029, 2990, 2937. 2880, 1783, 1693, 1454
cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.40-7.20 (m, 5H), 5.01
(s, 1H), 4.87 (ddd, J ) 1.5, 1.3, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (m, 1H),
4.30 (app s, 1H), 4.20 (app t, J ) 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (dd, J )
6.8, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (dd, J ) 9.2, 2.9 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (dq, J )
6.8, 9.7 Hz, 1H), 3.22 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.4 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (dd, J
) 13.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 1.72 (ddq, J ) 7.0, 2.3, <1.0 Hz, 1H),
1.53 (s, 3H), 1.46 (s, 3H), 1.42 (s, 3H), 1.31 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz,
3H), 0.66 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.78 (5% acetone/
CH2Cl2). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 424.2100,
found 424.2093.
1
yellow oil. Analysis of the unpurified reaction mixture by H
NMR spectroscopy revealed a >95:5 ratio of isomers and 90%
conversion. The material was generally carried on without
further purification. However, some of the major diastereomer
was isolated without epimerization or lactonization by flash
chromatography (20% EtOAc/hexanes). Data for the isolated
diastereomer: [R]23 -135.1° (c 1.02, CH2Cl2); IR (solution,
D
CH2Cl2) 3542, 3029, 2987, 2945, 2882, 1776, 1713, 1692, 1452
cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.37-7.19 (m, 5H), 5.14
(dt, J ) 1.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 4.97 (dt, J ) 1.4, 2.9 Hz, 1H), 4.87
(q, J ) 7.3 Hz, 1H), 4.76 (m, 1H), 4.62 (app s, 1H), 4.28 (app
t, J ) 8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (dd, J ) 9.1, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 3.30 (dd, J
) 13.4, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.98 (dq, J ) 7.1, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 2.88 (d,
(57) General information is provided in the Suppporting Information and
is similar to that found in ref 9c with the following exceptions. Infrared
spectra were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer model 1600 FT-IR spectrometer.
1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker AM-500 (500 MHz) or
AM-400 (400 MHz) spectrometers. NOESY experiments were performed
on a Bruker DMX-500 spectrometer. Full NMR peak assignments and 13C
NMR data are available in the Suppporting Information.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R6S)-6-[(1S)-2-hydroxy-1-
methylethyl)]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-ox-
azolidinone (8). To a solution of 1.02 g (2.55 mmol) of alcohol
in 25.5 mL of THF at 0 °C was added a solution of 374 mg

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5931
(1.53 mmol) 9-BBN dimer in 2.55 mL of THF via cannula (1
mL rinse). After 4 h at 0 °C, the reaction was warmed to
ambient temperature for an additional 13 h. The mixture was
recooled to 0 °C and quenched by the addition of 10 mL of pH
7 buffer, 10 mL of MeOH, 10 mL of a 30% aqueous solution
of H2O2, and 5 mL of THF. After the mixture was stirred for
1 h, a 1.5 M Na2SO3 aqueous solution was added, and the
aqueous layer extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 20 mL). The
combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na2SO4,
filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. 1H NMR spectroscopy
analysis of the unpurified reaction mixture showed a 85:15
mixture of diastereomers. The major diastereomer was purified
by flash chromatography (linear gradient 27 to 40% EtOAc/
hexanes, 3 × 21 cm SiO2) to yield 0.636 g (60%) of a clear
to -20 °C and stirred for 5 min before a solution of 26.0 g
(90.0 mmol) of â-keto imide in 100 mL of CH2Cl2 was added
via cannula over 10 min. The resultant nearly clear solution
was stirred at -20 °C for 1 h. The reaction was then cooled to
-78 °C and treated with 7.36 mL (102 mmol) of freshly distilled
propionaldehyde. After stirring for 1 h at -78 °C, the reaction
was rapidly added via cannula to a vigorously stirring mixture
of 1.5 L of CH2Cl2 and 1.5 L of 1 N NaHSO4 at 0 °C. The
mixture was stirred for 30 min until both layers became clear,
whereupon the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was
extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 500 mL). The combined organic
extracts were washed with a saturated solution of NaHCO3 (1
× 500 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in
vacuo to afford a clear colorless oil. The unpurified mixture
was analyzed by HPLC (Zorbax 40% EtOAc/hexanes, flow rate
2.0 mL/min, 254.4 nm) to reveal a 94:6 ratio of diastereomers.
Purification by recrystallization (10% EtOAc/hexanes) afforded
large crystalline plates (26.23 g, 84%): [R]23D -96.5° (c 1.03,
CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3532, 2974, 2940, 1780, 1713, 1692, 1454
cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.38-7.17 (m, 5H), 4.85
(q, J ) 7.3 Hz, 1H), 4.73 (m, 1H), 4.23 (app t, J ) 8.1 Hz,
1H), 4.16 (dd, J ) 9.1, 2.9 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (ddd, J ) 8.3, 5.0,
2.9 Hz, 1H), 3.28 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.79 (dq, J )
7.1, 2.9 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.52 (s, 1H),
1.3-1.6 (m, 2H), 1.46 (d, J ) 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.22 (d, J ) 7.1
Hz, 3H, 0.95 (t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.53 (50% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 370.1630,
found 370.1624.
colorless oil: [R]23 -51.8° (c 0.965, CH2Cl2); IR (solution,
D
CH2Cl2) 3508, 3056, 2978, 1781, 1694, 1454 cm-1;1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.40-7.18 (m, 5H), 4.70 (m, 1H), 4.23
(app t, J ) 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (dd, J ) 9.2, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 4.15
(dd, J ) 9.8, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.93 (dq, J ) 6.8, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 3.79
(dd, J ) 9.8, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 3.61 (app t, J ) 8.0, 10.8, 9.1 Hz,
1H), 3.54 (ddd, J ) 10.8, 3.4, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 3.23 (dd, J ) 13.3,
3.4 Hz, 1H), 3.10 (d, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.6
Hz, 1H), 1.90 (m, 1H), 1.65 (m, 1H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 1.40 (s,
3H), 1.30 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.83 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.75
(d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.24 (50% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 442.2206, found
442.2214.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R6R)-6-[(1R)-2-oxo-1-meth-
ylethyl)]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxazo-
lidinone (9). To -78 °C solution of 0.270 mL (0.540 mmol)
of a 2.0 M solution of oxalyl chloride in CH2Cl2 in an additional
2.5 mL of CH2Cl2 was added rapidly via syringe 76.6 µL (1.08
mmol) of DMSO, resulting in gas evolution. After 10 min, the
resultant cloudy solution was treated with a solution of 150 mg
(0.360 mmol) of alcohol in 0.5 mL of CH2Cl2 via cannula,
followed by a 0.30 mL rinse. The white mixture was stirred at
-78 ° C for 15 min before 0.314 mL (1.80 mmol) of Hu¨nig’s
base was added, during which addition the solution gradually
became homogeneous. After 30 min, the reaction was warmed
to 0 °C and maintained at that temperature for 1 h before the
addition of 3 mL of a saturated NH4Cl aqueous solution.
Following dilution with 1 mL of H2O and 2 mL of CH2Cl2, the
layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with
CH2Cl2 (2 × 5 mL). The combined organic layers were dried
over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford a
pale yellow oil. The residue was purified by flash chromatog-
raphy (20% EtOAc/hexanes, 3 × 5 cm SiO2), affording 0.145
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4S,5R)-3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-
1-oxoheptyl]-2-oxazolidinone (11). To 500 mL of acetic acid
at 0 °C was added portionwise 12.1 g (320 mmol) of NaBH4.
Upon completion of gas evolution, the reaction was allowed to
warm to ambient temperature where it was stirred for 1 h. To
this solution was added via cannula a solution of 11.1 g (32.0
mmol) aldol adduct in 100 mL of acetic acid over the course
of 20 min. After an additional 30 min, the reaction was
concentrated in vacuo before it was partitioned between 500
mL of a saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO3 and 500 mL of
CH2Cl2. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted by CH2-
Cl2 (1 × 300 mL). The combined organic layers were then
dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The
residue was azeotroped with MeOH (5 × 400 mL) with the
addition of 5 mL of acetic acid during the first round, and with
heptane (1 × 400 mL), to obtain 11.2 g (100%) of a clear
colorless foam that could not be further purified without
concomitant lactonization: [R]23D -40.3° (c 1.07, CH2Cl2); IR
(neat) 3426, 3026, 2964, 2933, 1780, 1692, 1456 cm-1;1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.38-7.17 (m, 5H), 4.67 (m, 1H), 4.20
(app t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.15 (dd, J ) 9.1, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 3.96
(dd, J ) 3.0, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (dq, J ) 3.1, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.75
(ddd, J ) 2.3, 4.3, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.22 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.3 Hz,
1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.3 Hz, 1H), 2.01 (s, 1H), 1.79 (m,
1H), 1.38-1.57 (m, 2H), 1.25 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (t, J )
7.4 Hz, 3H), 0.85 (d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.15 (50%
EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
372.1787, found 372.1785.
g (100%) of a white foam: [R]23 -81.5° (c 0.855, CH2Cl2);
D
IR (neat) 2989, 2938, 2882, 2722, 1781, 1726, 1693, 1455
cm-1;1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 9.59 (d, J ) 2.5 Hz, 1H),
7.23-7.08 (m, 5H), 4.58 (m, 1H), 4.11 (app t, J ) 9.1 Hz,
1H), 4.07 (dd, J ) 8.8, 2.9 Hz, 1H), 4.06 (dd, J ) 9.8, 2.0 Hz,
1H), 3.95 (dd, J ) 10.2, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (dq, J ) 6.8, 9.7
Hz, 1H), 3.11 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.4 Hz, 1H), 2.63 (dd, J ) 13.4,
9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.37 (ddq, J ) 10.2, 2.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.53 (m,
1H), 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.25 (s, 3H), 1.19 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.82
(d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H), 0.71 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.65
(50% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
440.2049, found 440.2048.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-
3-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-1-oxoheptyl]-2-oxazolidinone (11a).
To a solution of 11.2 g (32.0 mmol) of diol in 600 mL of CH2-
Cl2 at -5 °C was added 4.49 mL (38.5 mmol) of 2,6-lutidine,
followed by 8.26 mL (35.3 mmol) of TBSOTf. The resultant
clear colorless solution was stirred at -5 °C for 1 h before the
addition of 400 mL of a saturated solution of aqueous NaHCO3.
The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,4S,5R)-5-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-
dioxoheptyl]-2-oxazolidinone (10). To a suspension of 42.3
g (102 mmol) of stannous triflate in 400 mL of CH2Cl2 at
ambient temperature was added 14.2 mL (102 mmol) of Et3N.
The resultant pale yellow slurry was then cooled immediately

5932 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
with CH2Cl2 (2 × 200 mL). The combined organic extracts
were washed with 1 N HCl (1 × 200 mL) and brine (1 × 200
mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo.
The residue was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
2858, 1704, 1462 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 4.01
(dt, J ) <1.0, 1.8, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (s, 1H), 3.78 (ddd, J )
2.6, 6.5, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 2.51 (m, 3H), 1.71 (m, 1H), 1.53 (m,
2H), 1.10 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 3H), 0.87
(t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 3H), 0.85 (s, 9H), 0.76 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H),
0.09 (s, 3H), 0.06 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.75 (35% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 317.2512, found
317.2502.
hexanes) to yield 14.8 g (100%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23
D
-1.60° (c 1.00, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3465, 2957, 2859, 1782,
1703, 1461 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.36-7.17
(m, 5H), 4.69 (m, 1H), 4.22 (s, 1H), 4.21 (app t, J ) 8.6 Hz,
1H), 4.15 (dd, J ) 9.1, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 4.01 (dd, J ) 2.0, 9.8 Hz,
1H), 3.86 (dq, J ) 2.1, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (ddd, J ) 2.6, 5.9,
8.2 Hz, 1H), 3.35 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (dd, J )
13.3, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 1.83 (m, 1H), 1.55 (m, 2H), 1.22 (d, J ) 6.9
Hz, 3H), 0.91 (t, J ) 7.6 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.85 (d, J )
7.1 Hz, 3H), 0.12 (s, 3H), 0.08 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.73 (5%
acetone/CH2Cl2). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
486.2652, found 486.2646.
(4R,5S,6R,7R)-7-(tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy)-5-[(p-methoxy-
benzyl)oxy]-4,6-dimethyl-3-oxononane (13b). To a solution
of 2.00 g (6.33 mmol) of alcohol in 30 mL of Et2O at 0 °C was
added 1.81 mL (9.49 mmol) of unpurified p-methoxybenzyl
trichloroacetimidate. To the resultant yellow solution was added
5 drops of a solution of triflic acid in Et2O (5 drops triflic acid
in 5 mL of Et2O). The reaction was allowed to warm to ambient
temperature. After 2.5 h, a second allotment of acetimidate was
added (1.81 mL). After 7 h, a third addition was made of equal
amount, and thereafter every 2 h an addition was made, up to
a total of 6 (10.9 mL, 56.9 mmol total). The reaction was
quenched by the addition of 30 mL of a saturated aqueous
solution of NaHCO3. The aqueous layer was isolated and
extracted with Et2O (2 × 20 mL). The combined organic layers
were washed with brine (1 × 20 mL), dried over anhydrous
Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was
was purified by flash chromatography (first column loaded with
CH2Cl2, eluted with 5% EtOAc/hexanes, 5 × 24.5 cm SiO2;
second column loaded and eluted with 5% EtOAc/hexanes, 5
× 25 cm SiO2) to afford 1.55 g (56%) of a clear colorless oil:
(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy)-3-hydroxy-N-
methoxy-N,2,4-trimethylheptamide (12). To a stirred suspen-
sion of 3.32 g (34.0 mmol) of Weinreb salt in 44 mL of CH2Cl2
at -10 °C was added dropwise 17.0 mL of a 2.0 M solution of
AlMe3 in toluene over the course of 5 min, during which time
the mixture gradually became clear. Gas evolution was evident.
The resultant solution was stirred at ambient temperature for
30 min before it was again cooled to -10 °C and a solution of
5.25 g (11.3 mmol) of alcohol in 94 mL of CH2Cl2 was added
via cannula (10-mL rinse). The resultant solution was cooled
to -14 °C and allowed to sit for 9 h before it was quenched by
the addition of 130 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of
Rochelle’s salt. The mixture was stirred vigorously until the
phases became clear. The aqueous layer was then extracted
with CH2Cl2 (1 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were
washed with H2O (1 × 30 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered,
and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash
chromatography (linear gradient 15 to 20% EtOAc/hexanes) to
[R]23 -57.2° (c 1.12, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 2957, 2936, 2882,
D
2857, 1713, 1614, 1514, 1462 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 7.20 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz, 2H), 6.84 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz, 2H),
4.33 (d, J ) 10.3 Hz, 1H), 4.26 (d, J ) 10.3 Hz, 1H), 3.97 (dt,
J ) 5.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.95 (dd, J ) 2.5, 9.3 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (s,
3H), 2.66 (dq, J ) 7.3, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 2.63 (app quint, J ) 7.3
Hz, 1H), 2.48 (m, 1H), 1.70 (m, 1H), 1.53 (m, 2H), 1.12 (d, J
) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.80 (t,
J ) 7.5 Hz, 3H), 0.78 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.07 (s, 3H), 0.06
(s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.67 (20% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB)
m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 459.2907, found 459.2922.
afford 3.37 g (86%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -1.7° (c
D
1.30, CHCl3); IR (solution, CHCl3) 3456, 3022, 2962, 2938,
1633, 1462 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 4.06 (s, 1H),
4.00 (dt, J ) 1.6, 7.7 Hz, 1H), 3.72 (dd, J ) 8.9, <1.0 Hz,
1H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 2.99 (app q, J ) 4.6 Hz, 1H),
1.60 (m, 1H), 1.48 (m, 2H), 1.12 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.84 (s,
9H), 0.81 (t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 3H), 0.76 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.04
(s, 3H), 0.03 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.53 (30% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 370.2390, found
370.2381.
(Z)-(4R,5S,6R,7R)-7-(tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy)-5-[(p-meth-
oxybenzyl)oxy]-4,6-dimethyl-3-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-nonene (14).
To a solution of 1.33 mL (4.60 mmol) of diphenyltetrameth-
yldisilazine in 23 mL of THF at 0 °C was added via syringe
2.88 mL (4.60 mmol) of a 1.6 M solution of n-butyllithium in
hexanes. After 15 min, the reaction was cooled to -78 °C and
a solution of 1.82 g (4.18 mmol) of ketone in 5.0 mL of THF
was added via cannula (with 2 × 2-mL rinses). The resultant
clear yellow solution was stirred at -78 °C for 20 min, then at
0 °C for 30 min, before 2.42 mL (20.9 mmol) of 2,6-lutidine
was added, followed by 8.23 mL (16.7 mmol) of trimethylsilyl
triflate in a dropwise fashion. The resultant clear colorless
solution was stirred for 1 h at 0 °C, then warmed to ambient
temperature and stirred for 8 h. The reaction was quenched by
the addition of a saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO3. The
mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 20 mL). The combined
organic layers were then washed with brine (1 × 20 mL), dried
over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated to afford a
yellow oil. Analysis of the unpurified mixture revealed a >95:5
ratio of olefin isomers. Purification by flash chromatography
(first flash, linear gradient 5 to 7% EtOAc/hexanes, 5 × 25 cm
SiO2; second flash, linear gradient 35 to 50% pentane/benzene,
5 × 15.5 cm SiO2) afforded 1.78 g (84%) of a clear colorless
oil: [R]23D -43.7° (c 1.11, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 2958, 2931, 2857,
1674, 1615, 1587, 1514, 1463 cm-1;1H NMR (500 MHz,
(4R,5S,6R,7R)-7-(tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy)-5-hydroxy-4,6-
dimethyl-3-oxononane (13a). To a solution of 7.39 g (21.3
mmol) of the Weinreb amide in 213 mL of Et2O at 0 °C was
added 63.9 mL (63.9 mmol) of a 1.0 M solution of ethyl
Grignard. After 3 h the solution was warmed to ambient
temperature and allowed to stir for 2 additional hours. The
reaction was recooled to 0 °C and quenched with 100 mL of a
saturated aqueous solution of NH4Cl with concomitant gas
evolution. To this white mixture was added 100 mL of Et2O,
and the resultant mixture was warmed to ambient temperature
over the course of 4 h with vigorous stirring. The aqueous layer
was then separated and extracted with Et2O (2 × 100 mL). The
combined organic layers were washed with 1 N HCl (1 × 100
mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (1 × 100 mL), and brine (1
× 100 mL), then dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The resultant yellow oil was purified
by flash chromatography (linear gradient 5 to 10% EtOAc/
hexanes, 7 × 20 cm SiO2) to afford 611 mg (8%) recovered
starting material and 5.78 g (86%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23
D
+11.4° (c 1.09, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3481, 2959, 2937, 2883,

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5933
CDCl3) δ 7.09 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz, 2H), 6.72 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz, 2H),
4.58 (q, J ) 5.5 Hz, 1H), 4.40 (d, J ) 10.3 Hz, 1H), 4.28 (d,
J ) 10.3 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (dt, J ) 5.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (dd, J
) 2.5, 9.3 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.10 (m, 1H), 1.52 (m, 1H),
1.48-1.32 (m, 2H), 1.42 (d, J ) 5.5 Hz, 3H), 0.84 (d, J ) 7.0
Hz, 3H), 0.80 (s, 9H), 0.69 (t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 3H), 0.64 (d, J )
6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.09 (s, 9H), -0.01 (s, 3H), -0.06 (s, 3H); TLC
Rf ) 0.80 (20% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z could not
be obtained due to the instability of the product.
matography (3 × 12 cm, linear gradient 20 to 25% EtOAc/
hexanes) to afford 492 mg (95%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23
D
-33.6° (c 0.25, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3476, 2936, 2856, 1784,
1695, 1614, 1514, 1 cm-1;1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.40-
7.10 (m, 7H), 6.83 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz, 2H), 4.67 (m, 1H), 4.64 (d,
J ) 11.1 Hz, 1H), 4.58 (d, J ) 11.0 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (app t, J )
9.1, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 4.18 (dd, J ) 11.1, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.10 (dd, J
) 9.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.98 (m, 1H), 3.90 (dq, J ) 3.0, 7.0 Hz,
1H), 3.84 (m, 2H), 3.78 (m, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.22 (dd, J )
13.3, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 1.88-1.75
(m, 4H), 1.62-1.45 (m, 3H), 1.42 (s, 3H), 1.36 (s, 3H), 1.28
(d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.92 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.90 (s, 9H),
0.85-0.72 (m, 15H), 0.08 (s, 3H, 0.06 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.33
(35% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
878.5214, found 878.5223.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R6S)-6-[(1S,2S,3R,5R,6S,-
7R,8R)-8-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-2-hydroxy-6-[(p-meth-
oxybenzyl)oxy]-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-oxodecyl)]-2,2,5-tri-
methyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (15).
A
mixture of 244 mg of silyl enol ether (0.481 mmol) and 319
mg of aldehyde (0.769 mmol) was azeotropically dried twice
with 25 mL of benzene before dissolution in 12 mL of CH2Cl2.
The solution was cooled to -95 °C before 0.591 mL of BF3‚
Et2O (4.81 mmol) was added dropwise down the inside of the
flask. Following warming to -78 °C, the solution was stirred
for 1.5 h before it was quenched by the addition of ∼3 mL of
Et3N and warmed to ambient temperature. The solution was
partitioned between 20 mL of deionized water and 20 mL of
CH2Cl2. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 ×
25 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with
brine (1 × 20 mL), dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash
chromatography (5 × 11 cm, linear gradient 18 to 35% EtOAc/
hexanes followed by 3 × 14.5 cm, linear gradient of 2 to 3%
acetone/CH2Cl2), affording 333 mg (83%) of a clear colorless
oil as a single isolated diastereomer. Data for the isolated
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,2R,3R)-3-[(2R,-
4S,5S,6R)-6-[(1R,2R)-2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-1-methyl-
butyl]-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]-2-hy-
droxy-1-methylbutyl]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-
2-oxazolidinone (17). To mixture of 383 mg (0.448 mmol) of
the diol and ∼500 mg Mg2SO4 in 4.5 mL of CH2Cl2 at ambient
temperature was added via cannula an orange solution of 122
mg (0.538 mmol) of DDQ in 5.0 mL of CH2Cl2 (followed by
a 1 mL rinse) standing over ∼250 mg of Mg2SO4. After 10
min, 10 mL of a saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution was added
to the green mixture. The layers were separated and the aqueous
layer extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 10 mL). The combined
organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concen-
trated in vacuo to afford 382 mg (>99%) of a clear, colorless
oil which required no further purification: [R]23D -49.6° (c 0.93,
CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3522, 3031, 2935, 2856, 1783, 1695, 1615,
1517, 1456 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, C6D6) δ 7.80 (d, J )
10.0 Hz, 2H), 7.15-6.88 (m, 7H), 6.06 (s, 1H), 4.50 (m, 1H),
4.47 (dd, J ) 9.8, 1.9 Hz), 4.33 (m, 1H), 4.26 (m, 1H), 4.22
(dd, J ) 10.2, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.09 (dd, J ) 9.9, 17 Hz, 1H), 3.94
(br, 1H), 3.90 (app d, J ) 10.1, 1H), 3.44 (dd, J ) 9.1, 2.6 Hz,
1H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 3.16 (app t, J ) 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.99 (dd, J )
13.2, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 2.62 (m, 1H), 2.30 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.5 Hz,
1H), 2.07 (m, 2H), 1.98-1.85 (m, 2H), 1.76 (br d, J ) 7.1 Hz,
1H), 1.67-1.49 (m, 2H), 1.60 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.50 (s,
3H), 1.40 (s, 3H), 1.39 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.31 (d, J ) 7.0
Hz, 3H, 1.18 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.08 (s, 9H), 0.51 (app t, J
) 7.0 Hz, 6H), 0.82 (t, J ) 6.0, 3H), 0.20 (s, 3H), 0.14 (s, 3H);
TLC Rf ) 0.49 (35% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd
for [M + Na]+ 876.5058, found 876.5050.
diastereomer: [R]23 -82.1° (c 1.2, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3533,
D
2935, 2884, 1784, 1695, 1633, 1586, 1514, 1456 cm-1;1H NMR
(500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.33-7.16 (m, 7H), 6.34 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz,
2H), 4.67 (m, 1H), 4.34 (d, J ) 10.3 Hz, 1H), 4.30 (d, J )
10.2 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (app t, J ) 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (dd, J ) 9.1,
2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.08 (dd, J ) 9.7, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 3.98-3.85 (m,
4H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.76 (dd, J ) 8.7, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.21 (dd, J
) 13.3, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 3.10 (app quint, J ) 6.3, 1H), 2.81 (dq,
J ) 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.57 (d,
J ) 4.6 Hz, 1H), 1.71 (m, 1H), 1.67-1.45 (m, 4H), 1.42 (s,
3H), 1.36 (s, 3H), 1.28 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.20 (d, J ) 7.0
Hz, 3H), 1.10 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.90 (s, 9H), 0.85-0.70 (m,
12H), 0.08 (s, 3H), 0.06 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.43 (35% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 876.5058,
found 876. 5043.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R6S)-6-[(1S,2R,3S,4S,5S,6R,-
7R,8R)-8-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-2,4-dihydroxy-6-[(p-meth-
oxybenzyl)oxy]-1,3,5,7-tetramethyldecyl)]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-
dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (16). To a solution
of 520 mg (0.610 mmol) of aldol adduct in 6 mL of CH2Cl2 at
0 °C was added 30 mL (6.10 mmol, 0.20 M in Et2O) of Zn-
(BH4)2. After 1.0 h, 10 mL each of pH 7 buffer and MeOH
was added slowly, and the resultant mixture warmed to ambient
temperature and stirred for 12 h. The mixture was extracted
by CH2Cl2 (3 × 15 mL), and the combined organic extracts
were dried over Mg2SO4, filtered, and concentrated. The residue
was taken up in 50 mL of MeOH and stirred at ambient
temperature for 24 h. Following concentration, the residue was
partitioned between 20 mL of saturated aqueous NH4Cl and 20
mL of CH2Cl2. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH2Cl2
(2 × 20 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over
Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. 1H NMR spec-
troscopy analysis of the unpurified product showed >98:2
diastereoselectivity. The residue was purified by flash chro-
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S)-1-[(4R,5S,6R)-
6-[(1R,2R,3R,4R)-4-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-2-[(p-methoxy-
benzyl)oxy]-1,3-dimethylhexyl]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-
yl]ethyl]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxa-
zolidinone (18). To a solution of 4.2 mg (4.9 × 10-3 mmol)
of diol in 1.0 mL of 2,2-dimethoxypropane at ambient temper-
ature was added ∼1 mg of CSA. After 1.0 h, the reaction was
quenched by the addition of 5 drops of Et3N and the resultant
solution filtered through a plug of silica. Concentration in vacuo
afforded 3.5 mg (80%) of a clear colorless residue: [R]23
D
-21.1° (c 0.18, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 2933, 2855, 1785, 1695,
1513, 1458 cm-1;1H NMR (500 MHz, C6D6) δ 7.52 (d, J )
10.0 Hz, 2H), 7.12-7.02 (m, 3H), 6.94 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 2H),
6.49 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 2H), 5.01 (d, J ) 11.7 Hz, 1H), 4.99 (d,
J ) 11.8 Hz, 1H), 4.50 (m, 1H, 4.41 (dd, J ) 9.8, 1.8 Hz),
4.29 (app d, J ) 9.4, 1H), 4.26 (m, 2H), 4.07 (dd, J ) 9.9, 1.7
Hz, 1H), 3.82 (dd, J ) 6.6, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (dd, J ) 9.6, 1.7
Hz, 1H), 3.44 (dd, J ) 9.9, 2.6 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (app t, J ) 8.4
Hz, 1H), 2.98 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 2.30 (dd, J ) 13.3,

5934 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.10 (m, 1H), 2.10-2.00 (m, 2H), 1.98 (m, 1H),
1.86 (app q, J ) 6.7 Hz, 1H), 1.70 (m, 1H), 1.68 (s, 3H), 1.62
(m, 1H), 1.58 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 1.52 (s, 3H),
1.45 (s, 3H), 1.19 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.16 (s, 9H), 1.15 (d, J
) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.00 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz,
3H), 0.99 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.90 (t, J ) 6.0, 3H), 0.26 (s,
3H,), 0.19 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.48 (20% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 918.5527, found
918.5512.
0.5 to 1.0% acetone/CH2Cl2, 3 × 7.5 cm SiO2) to afford a 94.3
mg (84%) of a clear colorless foam as a single isomer: [R]23
D
-51.7° (c 1.00, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 2960, 2934, 1786, 1695,
1517 cm-1; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.43-7.18 (m, 7H),
6.87 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 2H), 5.59 (s, 1H), 4.69 (m, 1H), 4.22
(app t, J ) 7.7, 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (dd, J ) 9.1, 2.7 Hz, 1H),
4.05 (dd, J ) 9.7, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (ddd, J ) 5.9, 0.9, 7.8 Hz,
1H), 3.90 (dd, J ) 9.6, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (m, 1H), 3.78 (s,
3H), 3.33 (dd, J ) 9.7, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 3.32 (d, J ) 11.0 Hz, 1H),
3.22 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.8 Hz,
1H), 2.22 (m, 1H), 2.01 (m, 1H), 1.73-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.61 (m,
1H), 1.47 (m, 2H, 1.39 (s, 3H), 1.34 (s, 3H), 1.29 (d, J ) 6.8
Hz, 3H), 1.15 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.08 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H),
0.8-0.6 (m, 2H), 0.87 (s, 9H), 0.82 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.80
(t, J ) 6.0, 3H), 0.75 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.74 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz,
3H), 0.01 (s, 3H), -0.01 (s, 3H); 7; TLC Rf ) 0.70 (5% acetone/
CH2Cl2). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 860.5109,
found 860.5144.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R,6R)-6-[(1S,2R,3R)-3-[(2R,-
4S,5S,6R)-6-[(1R,2R)-2-(tertbutyldimethylsiloxy)-1-methylbu-
tyl]-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]-2-hydroxy-
1-methylbutyl]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-
oxazolidinone, methyl dithiocarbonate (19). To a solution
of 82.5 mg (0.0967 mmol) of alcohol in 3.2 mL of THF at 0
°C was added >5 mg of 95% NaH, followed by freshly distilled
CS2 (58.2 µL, 0.967 mmol). The resultant gray suspension was
stirred for 1 h at 0 °C and 1 h at ambient temperature. The
reaction was then recooled to 0 °C before 0.250 mL (4.02 mmol)
of methyl iodide was added via syringe. After 4 h at 0 °C, the
reaction was warmed to ambient temperature and allowed to
stir for 12 h. At that time, an addition 1 mL (16.1 mmol) of
methyl iodide was added to the slightly yellow solution, and
the reaction permitted to proceed for an additional 12 h. The
reaction was partitioned between 2 mL of CH2Cl2 and 5 mL of
H2O, and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 5
mL). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4,
filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford a yellow oil.
Purification by flash chromatography (linear gradient 10 to 20%
EtOAc/hexanes, 2 × 10.5 cm SiO2) yielded 76.2 mg (84%) of
(4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,3R)-3-[(2R,4S,5S,6R)-6-[(1R,2R)-2-(tert-
butyldimethylsiloxy)-1-methylbutyl]-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-
methyl-m-dioxan-4yl]-1-methylbutyl]-4-[(1R)-1-carboxyeth-
1-yl]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxane (20a). To a solution of 40.0
mg (0.0478 mmol) of imide in 2.5 mL of THF and 0.5 mL of
H2O at 0 °C was added 0.0433 mL (0.382 mmol) of a 30%
aqueous solution of H2O2 followed by 0.478 mL (0.0956 mmol)
of a 0.2 M aqueous solution of LiOH. After 1 h, the solution
was warmed to ambient temperature and stirred for 4 h. The
reaction was then recooled to 0 °C before treatment with 2 mL
of a 1.5 M Na2SO3 aqueous solution. After 15 min, the reaction
was diluted with 5 mL of Et2O and then acidified to pH 1 with
1 M HCl. The aqueous layer was isolated, and extracted with
Et2O (2 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were dried
over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to
afford an oil. The residue was purified by flash chromatography
(linear gradient 25 to 35% EtOAc/hexanes, 1 × 12 cm SiO2),
to obtain 23.2 mg (72%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23D -31.3°
(c 0.989, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 2957, 2932, 1710, 1616, 1517
cm-1;1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.40 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 2H),
6.87 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 2H), 5.52 (s, 1H), 4.00 (app t, J ) 7.7
Hz, 1H), 3.90 (dd, J ) 10.1, <1.0 Hz, 1H), 3.83 (dd, J ) 9.5,
1.1 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.33 (d, J ) 11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.28 (dd,
J ) 12.2, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 2.64 (dq, J ) 6.9, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.22 (m,
1H), 1.99 (m, 1H), 1.67 (m, 2H), 1.58 (m, 1H), 1.49 (m, 2H),
1.38 (s, 3H), 1.35 (s, 3H), 1.22 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.14 (d, J
) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.06 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.87-
0.72 (m, 12H), 0.8-0.6 (m, 2H), 0.01 (s, 3H), -0.01 (s, 3H);
TLC Rf ) 0.69 (50% EtOAc/hexane). HRMS (FAB-) m/z calcd
for [M - H]- 677.4449, found 677.4431.
(4S,5R,6S)-4-[(1R)-1-Carboxyeth-1-yl]-6-[(1S,3R)-3-[(2R,-
4S,5S,6S)-6-[(1S,2R)-2-(hydroxy)-1-methylbutyl]-2-(p-meth-
oxyphenyl)-5-methyl-m-dioxan-4yl]-1-methylbutyl]-2,2,5-
trimethyl-m-dioxane (23). To a solution of 23.2 mg (0.0342
mmol) of silyl ether in 0.68 mL of THF at 0 °C was added
0.0513 mL of a 1.0 M HF-purified TBAF solution in THF. The
resultant clear yellow solution was gradually warmed to 65 °C
and maintained at that temperature for 10 h before the reaction
was quenched by the addition of 2.0 mL of a saturated aqueous
solution of NH4Cl. Following dilution with 3 mL of Et2O, the
layers were separated and the aqueous layer extracted with Et2O
(5 × 3 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The
residue was purified by flash chromatography (50% EtOAc/
hexanes to 50% EtOAc/hexanes with one drop acetic acid/100
mL eluant, 1 × 10.5 cm SiO2) to afford 17.0 mg (88%) of clear
a pale yellow oil: [R]23 -42.5° (c 1.00, CH2Cl2); IR (neat)
D
2970, 2933, 2880, 2855, 1784, 1694, 1516 cm-1;1H NMR (500
MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.40-7.18 (m, 7H), 6.87 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 2H),
6.13 (d, J ) 2.7 Hz, 1H), 5.52 (s, 1H), 4.69 (m, 1H), 4.22 (app
t, J ) 7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.18 (dd, J ) 9.1, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 4.06 (dd, J
) 9.8, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (ddd, J ) 1.2, 7.5, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.94
(d, J ) 11.3 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (dq, J ) 6.8, 9.7 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (dd,
J ) 10.2, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.59 (dd, J ) 10.1, 2.0 Hz,
1H), 3.22 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.6
Hz, 1H), 2.65 (m, 1H), 2.55 (s, 3H), 1.91 (m, 1H), 1.67 (m,
2H,), 1.59 (m, 1H), 1.49 (m, 2H), 1.33 (s, 6H), 1.29 (d, J ) 7.0
Hz, 3H), 1.18 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.06 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H),
0.94 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.87 (s, 9H), 0.79 (t, J ) 6.0, 3H),
0.75 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.74 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.01 (s,
3H), -0.01 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.78 (35% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 966.4656, found
966.4652.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,3R)-3-[(2R,4S,-
5S,6R)-6-[(1R,2R)-2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-1-methylbu-
tyl]-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-m-dioxan-4yl]-1-methyl-
butyl]-2,2,5-trimethyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxa-
zolidinone (20). Azeotropically dried (benzene) xanthate (127
mg, 0.134 mmol) was taken up in 2.5 mL of tributyltin hydride
and heated to 110 °C before a catalytic amount of AIBN was
added. After 30 min, the reaction was cooled to ambient
temperature and quenched by the addition of 3 mL of H2O.
The mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 5 mL). The
combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na2SO4,
filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford a clear colorless
liquid which was first purified by filtration through SiO2
(hexanes followed by 50% EtOAc/hexanes, 3 × 10.5 cm SiO2).
The unpurified reaction mixture was then dissolved in 5 mL of
CH2Cl2 and treated with a catalytic amount of CSA for 12 h
prior to purification by flash chromatography (linear gradient

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5935
colorless oil. This compound was carried on directly to
added ∼100 mg of 4 Å sieves followed by 50.0 mg (0.234
mmol) of PCC. After 1 h of stirring, the green/brown mixture
was filtered through Celite with 10 mL of EtOAc and
concentrated in vacuo. The brown residue was immediately
purified by flash chromatography (15% EtOAc/hexanes, 1 ×
16 cm SiO2) to afford 18.9 mg (76%) of a clear colorless oil:
macrocyclization: IR (neat) 3449, 3500-2300 (broad), 3052,
2967, 2935, 2878, 1714, 1616, 1517, 1459 cm-1
.
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,9S,10S,11R,12R,13R)-13-Ethyl-9,11-
[(R)-(p-methoxybenzylidene)dioxy]-3,5-[(1-methylethylidene)-
dioxy]-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexamethyltetradecanolide (24). To a
solution of 29.2 mg (0.0518 mmol) of azeotropically dried (2
× 5 mL of benzene) hydroxy acid in 5.18 mL of benzene at
room temperature was added 90.2 µL (0.518 mmol) of Hu¨nig’s
base, followed by 40.4 µL (0.259 mmol) of 2,4,6-trichloroben-
zoyl chloride. After 1 h, an additional 90.2 µL of Hu¨nig’s base
and 80.8 µL (0.518 mmol) of 2,4,6-trichlorobenzoyl chloride
were added. After 4 h, 253 mg (2.08 mmol) of N,N-
(dimethylamino)pyridine was added as well as 5 mL of benzene,
resulting in precipitation of a dense white solid. After 45 min,
the reaction was treated with 10 mL of a 1 N aqueous solution
of NaHSO4 and 10 mL of CH2Cl2. Upon separation, the
aqueous layer was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 5 mL). The
combined organic layers were washed with a saturated aqueous
solution of NaHCO3 (1 × 5 mL), dried over anhydrous Na2-
SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The product was
purified by flash chromatography (linear gradient 2.5 to 5.0%
EtOAc/hexanes, 1 × 8 cm SiO2) to afford 25.0 mg (86%) of a
clear colorless oil: [R]23D +11.0° (c 0.060, CH2Cl2); IR (neat)
2960, 2936, 2877, 1721, 1616, 1518 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 7.49 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz, 2H), 6.88 (d, J ) 8.5 Hz, 2H),
5.69 (s, 1H), 5.43 (dd, J ) 10.0, 4.1 Hz, 1H), 3.94 (d, J ) 6.9
Hz, 1H), 3.81 (d, J ) 10.9 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.61 (d, J )
9.5 Hz, 1H), 3.37 (d, J ) 10.6 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (dq, J ) 10.8, 6.7
Hz), 2.34 (m, 1H), 2.18 (m, 1H), 1.89 (q, J ) 6.8 Hz, 1H),
1.69 (m, 4H), 1.48 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 1.42-1.30 (m, 2H),
1.20 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.18 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.03 (d, J
) 7.0 Hz, 6H), 0.98 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.88 (app t, J ) 6.8
Hz, 6H); TLC Rf ) 0.74 (35% EtOAc/hexane); HRMS (FAB)
m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 547.3635, found 547.3644.
[R]23 -51.8° (c 0.975, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3480, 2975, 2839,
D
2881, 1724, 1707, 1457 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ
5.29 (ddd, J ) 9.4, 4.4, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 3.95 (dd, J ) 2.2, 10.0
Hz, 1H), 3.90 (dd, J ) 0.9, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (dd, J ) 10.6,
<1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.79 (m, 2H), 2.63 (m, 1H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 1.87
(q, J ) 6.6 Hz, 1H), 1.78 (m, 1H), 1.67 (m, 2H), 1.50 (m, 1H),
1.44 (s, 6H), 1.22 (m, 1H), 1.17 (d, J ) 6.5 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (d,
J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.02 (d, J ) 6.3 Hz, 3H), 0.99 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz,
3H), 0.96 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.90 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.89
(t, J ) 7.7 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.84 (35% EtOAc/hexane);
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 449.2879, found
449.2893.
6-Deoxyerythronolide B (1). To a solution of 18.9 mg
(0.0444 mmol) in 1.0 mL of THF was added 5 drops of a 1 M
HCl aqueous solution. The resultant solution was stirred at room
temperature for 4 h, before the reaction was partitioned between
5 mL of H2O and 5 mL of Et2O. The organic layer was
separated and washed with a saturated aqueous soution of
NaHCO3 (1 × 5 mL), dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered,
and concentrated in vacuo. Purification by flash chromatog-
raphy (30% EtOAc/hexanes, 1 × 15 cm SiO2) afforded 16.0
mg (94%) of a white powder: [R]23 -38.9° (c 0.800, CH2-
D
Cl2); IR (neat) 3477, 2974, 2933, 1703, 1456 cm-1;1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 5.14 (ddd, J ) 1.1, 4.0, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 3.99
(ddd, J ) 1.7, 3.4, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (ddd, J ) <1.0, 2.8, 10.3
Hz, 1H), 3.87 (d, J ) 4.4 Hz, 1H), 3.67 (ddd, J ) 4.4, 2.0,
10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.02 (d, J ) 2.8 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (m, 2H), 2.62 (m,
1H), 2.25 (d, J ) 3.4 Hz, 1H), 2.02 (m, 1H), 1.86 (dq, J ) 1.7,
6.2 Hz, 1H, 1.82 (m, 1H), 1.73 (m, 1H), 1.67 (m, 1H), 1.51 (m,
1H), 1.29 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 1.25 (m, 1H), 1.06 (d, J ) 7.0
Hz, 3H), 1.04 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.04 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H),
1.01 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.93 (t, J ) 7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.88 (d, J
) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.27 (35% EtOAc/hexanes); HRMS
(FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 409.2566, found 409.2559.
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,9S,10S,11R,12R,13R)-13-Ethyl-9,11-di-
hydroxy-3,5-[(1-methylethylidene)dioxy]-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexa-
methyltetradecanolide (25). To a solution of 53.4 mg (0.102
mmol) of acetal in 1.0 mL of 2-propanol at ambient temperature
was added ∼10 mg of Pd(OH)2. The flask was subsequently
purged for 5 min with H2 under balloon pressure and then
maintained under positive pressure (balloon). After 13 h, the
mixture was filtered through a plug of Celite with 10 mL of
EtOAc and concentrated in vacuo. The product was purified
by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/hexanes, 1 × 15 cm
SiO2) to afford 38.8 mg (89%) of the diol (the remainder of the
material as the tetraol which could be recycled to give 99%
yield): [R]23D +38.1° (c 0.200, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3392, 2973,
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2S)-4-bromo-2-methyl-1-oxo-4-pentenyl]-
2-oxazolidinone (27). To a solution of 11.8 mL (90.0 mmol)
of diisopropylamine in 81 mL of THF at -78 °C was added
32.4 mL (81.0 mmol) of a 2.5 M solution of n-butyllithium in
hexanes. After 30 min, the yellow solution was treated with a
solution of 17.5 g (75.0 mmol) of imide in 19.5 mL of THF
(with 2 × 3-mL rinses) via cannula. After 40 min at -78 °C,
29 mL (282 mmol) of 2,3-dibromopropene was added neat via
syringe. The resultant dark brown/black solution was warmed
to -35 °C and maintained at that temperature for 14 h. The
reaction was quenched with 50 mL of saturated aqueous NH4-
Cl, and the solution was partitioned between 20 mL of H2O
and 100 mL of 25% CH2Cl2/pentane. The organic layer was
washed with 1 M HCl (1 × 100 mL) and brine (1 × 100 mL),
dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in
vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (50%
CH2Cl2/hexanes, 10 × 24 cm SiO2), to afford 20.5 g (79%) of
a clear colorless oil: [R]23D -39.1° (c 1.01, CH2Cl2); IR (neat)
3068, 3026, 2974, 2933, 1780, 1733, 1697, 1631 cm-1;1H NMR
(500 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.35-7.20 (m, 5H), 5.69 (s, 1H), 5.50
(s, 1H), 4.69 (m, 1H), 4.21 (app t, J ) 7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (m,
1H), 4.17 (dd, J ) 3.0, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 3.28 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.2
Hz, 1H), 3.01 (dd, J ) 7.6, 14.5 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (dd, J ) 13.4,
9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.53 (dd, J ) 6.7, 14.5 Hz, 1H), 1.22 (d, J ) 6.9
1
2937, 2871, 1728, 1456 cm-1; H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ
5.22 (dd, J ) 9.3, 4.4 Hz, 1H), 3.85 (d, J ) 6.2 Hz, 1H), 3.70
(d, J ) 10.7 Hz, 1H), 3.65 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 1H), 3.05 (dd, J )
9.9, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (dq, J ) 6.5, 10.6 Hz, 1H), 2.13 (m,
1H), 1.94 (q, J ) 7.1 Hz, 1H), 1.78-1.64 (m, 3H), 1.47 (m,
2H), 1.42 (s, 6H), 1.30-1.10 (m, 2H), 1.18 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz,
3H), 1.08 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.06 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 6H), 0.98
(d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.90 (t, J ) 7.4
Hz, 3H), 0.82 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.47 (35% EtOAc/
hexane); HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 451.3035,
found 451.3040.
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,10R,11S,12R,13R)-13-Ethyl-11-hydroxy-
3,5-[(1-methylethylidene)dioxy]-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexamethyl-9-
oxotetradecanolide (25a). To a solution 25.0 mg (0.0585
mmol) of diol in 1 mL of CH2Cl2 at room temperature was

5936 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.62 (33% hexanes/CH2Cl2). HRMS (FAB)
m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 374.0368, found 374.0372.
Hz, 1H), 1.96 (m, 1H), 1.81 (m, 1H), 1.28 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H),
0.98 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.81 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf )
0.17 (35% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M
+ Na]+ 490.1205 found 490.1227.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,4R,5S,6S)-8-bromo-5-hydroxy-2,4,6-
trimethyl-1,3-dioxo-8-nonenyl]-2-oxazolidinone (29). To a
clear solution of TiCl4 (4.78 mL, 43.6 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (560
mL) at 0 °C was added Ti(i-OPr)4 (4.33 mL, 14.5 mmol). After
15 min, a solution of 16.24 g (56.2 mmol) of â-keto imide in
20.0 mL of CH2Cl2 was added via cannula (1 × 10 mL rinse).
To the resultant yellow solution was added Et3N (8.36 mL, 60.0
mmol), affording instantly a dark red solution which was stirred
at 0 °C for 1 h. The reaction was then cooled to -78 °C before
a solution of 6.63 g (37.5 mmol) mL of aldehyde in 10 mL of
CH2Cl2 was added via cannula, and the reaction was stirred at
-78 °C for 45 min. The reaction was quenched by the addition
of 200 mL of a saturated aqueous NH4Cl solution at -78 °C
and warmed to ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted
with 100 mL of H2O and 700 mL of Et2O. The layers were
separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with Et2O (2 ×
200 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with
saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (1 × 200 mL), dried over Na2SO4,
and concentrated in vacuo to afford a yellow clear oil. Analysis
of the unpurified reaction mixture by 1H NMR revealed a >95:5
ratio of diastereomers with complete consumption of the
aldehyde. This residue was purified by flash chromatography
(linear gradient 15 to 25% EtOAc/hexanes) to afford 16.78 g
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S)-3-bromo-1-
methyl-3-butenyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propion-
yl]-2-oxazolidinone (30). To a solution of 0.7505 g of diol
(1.60 mmol) in 1.20 mL of benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal (8.02
mmol) was added a catalytic amount of CSA. The resultant
mixture was stirred at ambient temperature under vacuum (∼10
Torr) for 10 h before it was loaded directly on a column and
purified by flash chromatography (linear gradient 10 to 15%
EtOAc/hexanes, 5 × 13.5 cm SiO2) to afford 0.7554 g (79%)
of a clear colorless foam: [R]23 -61.1° (c 1.05, CH2Cl2); IR
D
(solution, CH2Cl2) 3068, 2973, 2934, 1782, 1695, 1629 cm-1;1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.55-7.19 (m, 10H), 5.60 (s, 1H),
5.55 (s, 1H), 5.47 (s, 1H), 4.74 (m, 1H), 4.25 (app t, J ) 9.1
Hz, 1H), 4.22 (dd, J ) 2.9, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.13 (m, 2H), 3.54
(dd, J ) 1.8, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.2 Hz, 1H),
3.05 (d, J ) 12.9 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H),
2.19 (dd, J ) 13.7, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 1.86 (q, J ) 6.9
Hz, 1H), 1.43 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 0.93 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H),
0.87 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.39 (20% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 578.1518, found
578.1534.
(96%) of a single diastereomer as a clear colorless oil: [R]23
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-5-methyl-6-[(1S)-
1-methyl-3-(trimethylstannyl)-3-butenyl]-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-
4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (31). To a solution of 755.4
mg (1.36 mmol) of vinyl bromide in 14 mL of benzene at room
temperature were added 0.049 mL (0.272 mmol) of Hu¨nig’s
base and 0.810 mL (2.73 mmol) of hexamethylditin via syringe,
followed by 78.6 mg (0.0680 mmol) of tetrakis(triphenylphos-
phine)palladium. The resultant yellow solution was heated to
80 °C, gradually darkening to a black color. After 1 h at 80
°C, the reaction was cooled to ambient temperature and stirred
for an additional 2 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition
of 10 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of Cu2SO4. The
mixture was extracted with hexanes (1 × 10 mL). The organic
layer was then washed with brine (1 × 10 mL), dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered through Celite with 20 mL of
EtOAc, and concentrated in vacuo to provide a yellow oil. The
product was purified by flash chromatography (10% EtOAc/
hexanes, 5 × 10 cm SiO2) to afford 777.3 mg (90%) of a clear
colorless foam: [R]23D -54.9° (c 1.00, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3031,
2970, 2932, 1785, 1696 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ
7.46 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.33-7.20 (m, 6H), 7.17 (d, J ) 6.8
Hz, 2H), 7.17 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 2H), 5.67 (ddt, J ) 1.7, 2.2, 76.2
Hz, 1H), 5.57 (s, 1H), 5.22 (ddt, J ) 1.4, 2.9, 35.4 Hz, 1H),
4.73 (m, 1H), 4.24 (app t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (dd, J ) 3.0,
9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.14 (m, 2H), 3.48 (dd, J ) 2.0, 9.7 Hz, 1H), 3.27
(dd, J ) 13.3, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 3.07 (d, J ) 13.0 Hz, 1H), 2.78
(dd, J ) 13.3, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 1.87 (dd, J ) 12.9, 10.7 Hz, 1H),
1.85 (m, 1H), 1.74 (m, 1H), 1.44 (d, J ) 6.2 Hz, 3H), 0.91 (d,
J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.77 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.14 (dt, J ) 1.2,
26.4 Hz, 9H); TLC Rf ) 0.41 (20% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS
(FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 664.2061, found 664.2076.
D
-131.1° (c 1.04, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3529, 3026, 2974, 2944,
1769, 1713, 1692 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.38-
7.16 (m, 5H), 5.58 (t, J ) 1.3 Hz, 1H), 5.45 (s, 1H), 4.84 (q, J
) 7.1 Hz, 1H), 4.76 (m, 1H), 4.28 (app t, J ) 8.3 Hz, 1H),
4.19 (dd, J ) 3.1, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 3.84 (ddd, J ) 9.5, 3.2, 1.6 Hz,
1H), 3.28 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 3.07 (dd, J ) <1.0, 12.0
Hz, 1H), 3.03 (dq, J ) 1.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.90 (d, J ) 3.2 Hz,
1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.4 Hz, 1H), 2.12 (dd, J ) 14.3, 10.3
Hz, 1H), 1.96 (m, 1H, C6-H), 1.47 (d, J ) 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.13
(d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.87 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.11
(20% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
488.1049, found 488.1072.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S)-8-bromo-3,5-dihydroxy-
2,4,6-trimethyl-1-oxo-8-nonenyl]-2-oxazolidinone (29a). To
a clear yellow solution of purified aldol adduct (69.2 mg, 0.148
mmol) in 3.0 mL of CH2Cl2 at -78 °C was added a solution of
Zn(BH4)2 in Et2O (1.90 mL, 0.15 M solution). The resultant
clear solution was stirred for 15 min at -78 °C before the
reaction was warmed to -50 °C and maintained at that
temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction was then treated with 5
mL of a saturated aqueous solution of NH4Cl at -50 °C. The
mixture was stirred vigorously as it was warmed to ambient
temperature. After 10 min at ambient temperature, the mixture
was diluted with 4 mL of CH2Cl2 and 2 mL of brine, the layers
were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH2-
Cl2 (1 × 4 mL). The combined organics were dried over Na2-
SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant clear
colorless oil was azeotroped with MeOH (5 × 5 mL) followed
by heptane (1 × 5 mL). Analysis of the unpurified material
1
by H NMR revealed a >95:5 ratio of diastereomers. The
product was purified by flash chromatography (35% EtOAc/
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,4S,5R)-5-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-
dioxohexyl]-2-oxazolidinone (32). To a suspension of 35.8 g
(86.0 mmol) of stannous triflate in 287 mL of CH2Cl2 at ambient
temperature was added 12.5 mL (89.7 mmol) of Et3N. The
resultant pale yellow slurry was then cooled immediately to -20
°C and stirred for 5 min before a solution of 21.6 g (74.7 mmol)
of â-keto imide in 50 mL of CH2Cl2 was added via cannula
over 10 min. The resultant nearly homogeneous solution was
stirred at -20 °C for 1 h. The reaction was then cooled to
hexanes, 1 × 12.5 cm SiO2), to afford 61.7 mg (89%) of a clear
colorless oil: [R]23 -64.4° (c 1.16, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3456,
D
3067, 3026, 2974, 2933, 1764, 1692, 1631 cm-1;1H NMR (400
MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.37-7.19 (m, 5H), 5.59 (s, 1H), 5.45 (s, 1H),
4.69 (m, 1H), 4.24 (app t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (dd, J ) 2.9,
9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (m, 2H), 3.45 (dd, J ) <1.0, 9.1 Hz, 1H),
3.24 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 2.98 (dd, J ) 2.6, 14.3 Hz,
1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.11 (dd, J ) 14.1, 10.0

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5937
-78 °C and treated with 5.01 mL (89.7 mmol) of freshly
distilled acetaldehyde. After 30 min of stirring at -78 °C, the
reaction was rapidly added via cannula to a vigorously stirring
mixture of 1.5 L of CH2Cl2 and 1.5 L of 1 N NaHSO4 at 0 °C.
The mixture was stirred for 30 min until both layers became
clear, whereupon the layers were separated. The aqueous layer
was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 500 mL). The combined
organics were washed with a saturated solution of NaHCO3 (1
× 500 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in
vacuo to afford 25.1 g (100%) of a clear colorless oil. The
unpurified mixture was analyzed by 1H NMR to reveal a 83:17
ratio of diastereomers. The mixture could not be purified by
flash chromatography or HPLC without concomitant epimer-
ization and lactonization, and was therefore carried on without
further purification. [TLC Rf ) 0.19 (35% EtOAc/hexanes).]
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4S,5R)-3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-
1-oxohexyl]-2-oxazolidinone (32a). To 2.0 L of acetic acid
maintained between 0 and 25 °C was added portionwise 28.3 g
(747 mmol) of NaBH4. Upon completion of gas evolution, the
reaction was allowed to warm to ambient temperature where it
was stirred for 1.5 h. To this solution was added via cannula
a solution of 25.1 g (74.7 mmol) of aldol adduct in 500 mL of
acetic acid over the course of 20 min. After an additional 15
min, the reaction was concentrated in vacuo before it was
partitioned between 500 mL of H2O and 500 mL of CH2Cl2.
The aqueous layer was separated and extracted by CH2Cl2 (3
× 300 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with a
saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO3 (1 × 500 mL). The
aqueous layer was extracted by CH2Cl2 (3 × 300 mL). The
combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The residue was then azeotroped with
MeOH (3 × 500 mL) with the addition of 1 mL of acetic acid
during the first round, and with heptane (2 × 500 mL), to obtain
25.0 g (100%) of a clear colorless foam that could not be further
purified without concomitant lactonization. [TLC Rf ) 0.05
(35% EtOAc/hexanes).]
Cl2 at ambient temperature was added 1.00 mL (5.29 mmol) of
benzyl trichloroacetimidate, followed by 44 drops of an ethereal
TfOH solution (1 drop of neat triflic acid in 1 mL of Et2O).
The resultant yellow solution was stirred at ambient temperature
for 1 h, during which time a white solid gradually precipitated
out of the reaction mixture. At this time an additional 0.250
mL (1.32 mmol) of acetimidate was added. After 1 h, an
additional drop of neat triflic acid was added. The reaction
was quenched after a total of 3 h by the addition of 10 mL of
a solution of saturated NaHCO3, and the layers were separated.
The aqueous phase was extracted by CH2Cl2 (1 × 10 mL). The
combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The residue was then taken up in hexane,
and the white flocculent solid was filtered off and rinsed with
hexanes (10 × 5 mL). After concentration of the filtrate, a
pale yellow oil was obtained. The product was purified by flash
chromatography (7.5 to 10% EtOAc/hexanes, 8 × 14 cm SiO2),
affording 2.14 g (84%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -44.4°
D
(c 1.42, CHCl3); IR (solution, CH2Cl2) 3029, 2944, 2867, 1782,
1701 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.40-7.22 (m, 10H),
4.58 (d, J ) 10.5 Hz, 1H), 4.47 (m, 1H), 4.45 (d, J ) 10.5 Hz,
1H), 4.42 (dq, J ) 2.0, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 4.16 (dd, J ) 9.1, 2.0 Hz,
1H), 4.09 (app t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.06 (dq, J ) 2.8, 6.8 Hz,
1H), 3.97 (dd, J ) 2.8, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 3.35 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.1
Hz, 1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 1.60 (m, 1H), 1.27
(d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.24 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.08 (s on top
of m, 21H), 0.97 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.44 (20%
EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
604.3434, found 604.3427.
(2R,3S,4R,5R)-3-(Benzyloxy)-5-(triisopropylsiloxy)-2,4-
dimethylhexanoic acid (34a). To a solution of 5.11 g (8.79
mmol) of imide in 176 mL of THF at 0 °C was added 2.39 mL
(7.03 mmol) of a 30% aqueous solution of H2O2 followed by
88.0 mL (17.6 mmol) of a 0.2 M aqueous solution of LiOH.
The resultant clear colorless solution was stirred at 0 °C for 6
h before it was quenched by the addition of 150 mL of a 1.5 M
aqueous solution of Na2SO3. The mixture was stirred vigorously
at 0 °C. After 30 min, the mixture was extracted by Et2O (2 ×
200 mL). The aqueous layer was then acidified with 1 M
aqueous HCl to pH 3 and extracted further with Et2O (3 × 200
mL). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4,
filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified
by flash chromatography (linear gradient 7 to 30% EtOAc/
hexanes, 6 × 25 cm SiO2), to afford 1.40 g (90%) recovered
oxazolidinone and 3.50 g (94%) of the desired acid as a clear
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-3-hydroxy-5-(triisopropyl-
siloxy)-2,4-dimethyl-1-oxohexyl]-2-oxazolidinone (33). To a
solution of 25.0 g (74.7 mmol) diol in 1.5 L CH2Cl2 at -5 °C
was added 10.44 mL (89.6 mmol) of 2,6-lutidine, followed by
22.12 mL (82.2 mmol) of TIPSOTf. The resultant clear
colorless solution was stirred at -5 °C for 1 h before the addition
of 500 mL of a saturated solution of aqueous NaHCO3. The
layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with
CH2Cl2 (2 × 200 mL). The combined organics were washed
with 1 N NaHSO4 (1 × 200 mL), H2O (1 × 200 mL), and
brine (1 × 200 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concen-
trated in vacuo. The major isomer was purified by flash
chromatography (20% Et2O/hexanes, 11 × 23 cm SiO2) to yield
colorless oil: [R]23 -29.4° (c 1.49, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3443,
D
2943, 2866, 1706, 1457 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ
7.30-7.20 (m, 5H), 4.52 (d, J ) 10.8 Hz, 1H), 4.45 (d, J )
10.8 Hz, 1H), 4.42 (dq, J ) 1.7, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 4.14 (dd, J )
2.2, 9.4 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (dq, J ) 2.2, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.53 (m, 1H),
1.20 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.15 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.06 (s on
top of m, 21H), 0.86 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.18 (20%
Et2O/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
445.2750, found 445.2809.
26.6 g (73%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -16.8° (c 1.52,
D
CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3451, 2943, 2867, 1782, 1703 cm-1; H
1
NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.36-7.17 (m, 5H), 4.68 (m, 1H),
4.61 (s, 1H), 4.20 (app t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.13 (dd, J ) 9.3,
2.2 Hz, 1H), 4.12 (m, 1H), 4.07 (dd, J ) 1.9, 10.1 Hz, 1H),
3.84 (dq, J ) 2.0, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.35 (dd, J ) 13.2, 3.0 Hz,
1H), 2.73 (dd, J ) 13.2, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 1.93 (m, 1H), 1.23 (d, J
) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.20 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (s on top of m,
21H), 0.82 (d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.84 (35% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 514.2965,
found 514.2968.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,5R,6S,7R,8R)-
6-(benzyloxy)-1,5,7-trimethyl-3-methylene-4-oxo-8-(triisopro-
pylsiloxy)nonyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-
2-oxazolidinone (36). To a solution of 100.4 mg (0.238 mmol)
of acid in 2.3 mL of benzene at ambient temperature was added
0.0415 mL (0.476 mmol) of oxalyl chloride neat via syringe.
A catalytic amount (2 µL) of DMF was added, and the resultant
solution was stirred for 4 h before it was azeotroped with
benzene (3 × 5 mL) and placed under reduced pressure (5 Torr)
for 2 h.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-3-(benzyloxy)-5-(triisopro-
pylsiloxy)-2,4-dimethyl-1-oxohexyl]-2-oxazolidinone (34). To
a solution of 2.16 g (4.41 mmol) of alcohol in 14.7 mL of CH2-

5938 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
The pale yellow acid chloride was dissolved in 2.3 mL of
benzene and treated with 10.9 mg (0.0119 mmol) of tris-
(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium, followed by 0.0128 mL
(0.0714 mmol) of Hu¨nig’s base. To the resultant purple solution
was added 182.8 mg (0.286 mmol) of vinylstannane. After 30
min at ambient temperature, the solution had faded to green/
black, and an additional 10.9 mg of palladium was added,
regenerating the purple color. After an additional 1 h, the
reaction was filtered through a pad of SiO2 with 20 mL of
EtOAc, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified
by flash chromatography (linear gradient 7 to 10% EtOAc/
hexanes, 1 × 13 cm SiO2) to afford 178.9 mg (85%) of the
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,-
8R)-6-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-1,5,7-trimethyl-3-methylene-8-
(triisopropylsiloxy)nonyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]-
propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone. Data for the minor diastereomer:
[R]23 -37.5° (c 0.385, CH2Cl2); IR (solution, CH2Cl2) 3686,
D
3064, 2941, 2867, 1782, 1695 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 7.45 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.26 (m, 11H), 7.23
(d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 2H), 5.53 (s, 1H), 5.19 (s, 1H), 4.95 (s, 1H),
4.78 (d, J ) 10.1 Hz, 1H), 4.73 (m, 1H), 4.60 (d, J ) 10.1 Hz,
1H), 4.31-4.19 (m, 4H), 4.11 (m, 2H), 3.72 (dd, J ) 1.7, 8.5
Hz, 1H), 3.45 (dd, J ) 1.6, 9.7 Hz, 1H), 3.32 (s, 1H), 3.26 (dd,
J ) 13.4, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.65
(d, J ) 13.2 Hz, 1H), 1.92-1.82 (m, 3H), 1.72 (m, 2H), 1.41
(d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 1.16 (d, J ) 6.3 Hz, 3H), 1.04 (s on top
of m, 21H), 0.90 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.84 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H),
0.83 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 0.81 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf )
0.16 (20% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M
+ Na]+ 906.5316, found 906.5348.
desired enone as a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -61.0° (c 1.14,
D
CH2Cl2); IR (solution, CH2Cl2) 3066, 2971, 2943, 2867, 1782,
1696, 1672 cm-1;1H NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.53 (d, J )
6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.26 (m, 11H), 7.24 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 2H),
6.09 (s, 1H), 5.81 (s, 1H), 5.56 (s, 1H), 4.72 (m, 1H), 4.37 (AB
obscuring a dq, JAB) 10.4 Hz, 3H), 4.24 (app t, J ) 9.1 Hz,
1H), 4.20 (dd, J ) 2.9, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.13 (m, 2H), 4.04 (dd, J
) 2.6, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.53 (dd, J ) 1.6, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 3.47 (dq,
J ) 2.6, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J ) 13.4, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 3.00 (q,
J ) 11.3 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.06 (m,
2H), 1.85 (m, 1H), 1.58 (m, 1H), 1.43 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H),
1.23 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.11 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (s on
top of m, 21H), 0.96 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz,
3H), 0.81 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.31 (20% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 904.5160,
found 904.5185.
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8S,9R,10R,11S,12R,13R)-3,5-[(S)-(Ben-
zylidene)dioxy]-11-(benzyloxy)-9-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-
8,8-(epoxymethano)-2,4,6,10,12,13-hexamethyltetradecano-
lide (39). To a solution of 17.0 mg (0.0244 mmol) of
azeotropically dried hydroxy acid in 0.5 mL of benzene at
ambient temperature was added 0.131 mL (0.731 mmol) of
Hu¨nig’s base and 0.0761 mL (0.487 mmol) of 2,4,6-trichlo-
robenzoyl chloride. The solution was stirred at room temper-
ature for 12 h before it was diluted with an additional 5.6 mL
of benzene and treated with 119.0 mg (0.974 mmol) of N,N-
(dimethylamino)pyridine. After 12 h at ambient temperature
the white mixture was quenched by the addition of 5 mL of
saturated aqueous NH4Cl solution. The mixture was extracted
with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The combined organic layers were
washed with brine (1 × 5 mL), dried over anhydrous Na2SO4,
filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Analysis of the unpurified
mixture by 1H NMR revealed a 2.5:1 ratio of compounds later
determined by LRMS to correspond to the monomer and diolide
[TLC Rf (dimer) ) 0.66 (30% EtOAc/hexanes)] respectively.
The monomer was purified by flash chromatography (7%
EtOAc/hexanes, 2 × 12 cm SiO2) to afford 7.6 mg (46%) of
the desired macrocycle as a clear colorless oil: [R]23D -4.8° (c
0.507, CH2Cl2); IR (solution, CH2Cl2) 3071, 2935, 2861, 1724,
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,4R,5S,6R,-
7R,8R)-6-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-1,5,7-trimethyl-3-methylene-
8-(triisopropylsiloxy)nonyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-
yl]propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (37). To a solution of 1.5 g
(1.70 mmol) enone in 42.5 mL of MeOH and 42.5 mL of THF
at -78 °C was added 5.06 g (13.6 mmol) CeCl3‚7H2O and 322
mg (8.50 mmol) NaBH4. The resultant mixture was stirred at
that temperature for 8 h before the reaction was quenched by
the addition of 75 mL of a 1 M aqueous solution of NaOH.
The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 50 mL). The
combined organic layers were washed with brine (1 × 50 mL),
dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in
vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography
(linear gradient 7.5 to 20% EtOAc/hexanes, 5 × 16 cm SiO2),
to afford 917.5 g (61%) of a major diastereomer with 85.2 mg
1
1457 cm-1; H NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.60-7.30 (m,
10H), 5.63 (q, J ) 6.5 Hz, 1H), 5.59 (s, 1H), 5.02 (d, J ) 10.0
Hz, 1H), 4.17 (d, J ) 10.0 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (d, J ) 10.2 Hz, 1H),
3.92 (d, J ) 3.3 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (dd, J ) 1.0, 11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.31
(d, J ) 9.6 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (d, J ) 4.5 Hz, 1H), 2.89 (d, J ) 4.6
Hz, 1H), 2.86 (dq, J ) 6.6, 11.0 Hz, 1H), 2.21 (m, 1H), 2.14
(m, 1H), 2.02 (dd, J ) 11.3, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 1.95 (m, 1H, C4-
H), 1.77 (d, J ) 15.7 Hz, 1H), 1.78 (m, 1H), 1.24 (d, J ) 6.6
Hz, 3H), 1.23 (d, J ) 6.5 Hz, 3H), 1.20 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H),
1.10 (d, J ) 7.4 Hz, 3H), 1.09 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.99 (d, J
) 7.4 Hz, 3H), 0.86 (s, 9H), 0.109 (s, 3H), 0.107 (s, 3H); TLC
Rf ) 0.81 (30% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for
[M + Na]+ 703.4006, found 703.3997.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R,3S,4S,5R)-3-(triethylsiloxy)-5-(triiso-
propylsiloxy)-2,4-dimethyl-1-oxohexyl]-2-oxazolidinone (40).
To a solution of 1.835 g (3.74 mmol) alcohol in 75 mL of CH2-
Cl2 at room temperature was added 0.653 mL (5.61 mmol) of
2,6-lutidine, followed by 0.930 mL (4.11 mmol) of TESOTf.
The resultant clear colorless solution was stirred for 40 min
before the addition of 50 mL of a saturated solution of aqueous
NaHCO3. The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer
was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 30 mL) The combined organics
were washed with 1 N NaHSO4 (1 × 20 mL), H2O (1 × 20
1
(6%) of a conjugate reduction product (as determined by H
NMR), 303.9 mg (25%) of various oxazolidinone cleavage
1
products (as determined by H NMR), and 57.3 mg (4%) of a
minor diastereomer. Data for the major diastereomer: [R]23
D
-53.8° (c 1.02, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3429, 3026, 2970, 2942,
2866, 1784, 1694, 1641 cm-1;1H NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl3) δ
7.50 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.26 (m, 11H), 7.24 (d, J )
6.8 Hz, 2H), 5.56 (s, 1H), 5.09 (s, 1H), 4.93 (s, 1H), 4.73 (m,
1H), 4.68 (app s, 2H), 4.39 (dq, J ) 2.0, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 4.24
(app t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (dd, J ) 2.8, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.12
(m, 2H), 3.98 (dd, J ) 4.8, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 3.94 (dd, J ) <1.0,
9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.48 (dd, J ) 1.8, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J )
13.4, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.76 (d, J
) 16.6 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (broad s, 1H), 2.07 (m, 1H), 1.93 (m,
1H), 1.85 (m, 1H), 1.63 (m, 2H), 1.42 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H),
1.21 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (s on top of m, 21H), 0.91 (d,
J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.86 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 0.85 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz,
3H), 0.82 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.28 (20% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 906.5316,
found 906.5345.

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5939
mL), and brine (1 × 20 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The major isomer was purified by flash
chromatography (10% EtOAc/hexanes, 5 × 15 cm SiO2) to yield
1694, 1677 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.53 (d, J )
6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.26 (m, 6H), 7.23 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 2H),
6.10 (s, 1H), 5.74 (s, 1H), 5.56 (s, 1H), 4.72 (m, 1H), 4.24 (app
t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (dd, J ) 3.0, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.16 (app
t, J ) 5.2 Hz, 1H), 4.12 (m, 2H), 3.68 (app quint, J ) 6.2 Hz,
1H), 3.50 (dd, J ) 1.5, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.44 (app quint, J ) 6.5
Hz, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 3.00 (q, J ) 11.1 Hz,
1H), 2.77 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 1.94 (m, 2H), 1.85 (q, J
) 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.54 (m, 1H), 1.43 (d, J ) 6.0 Hz, 3H), 1.22
(d, J ) 6.0 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.03 (s on top
of m, 21H), 0.99 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (t, J ) 8.0 Hz, 9H),
0.91 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.75 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 0.61 (q, J
) 7.9 Hz, 6H); TLC Rf ) 0.29 (67% CH2Cl2/hexanes). HRMS
(FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 928.5555 found 928.5542.
2.28 g (100%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -48.7° (c 1.31,
D
CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3065, 3029, 2945, 2868, 1786, 1700 cm-1;1H
NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.40-7.19 (m, 5H), 4.59 (m, 1H),
4.17 (dd, J ) 2.0, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 4.16 (dd, J ) 6.0, 2.5 Hz, 1H),
4.12 (app t, J ) 7.4 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (app quint, J ) 6.8 Hz, 1H),
3.82 (app quint, J ) 6.1 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.1 Hz,
1H), 2.75 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.7 Hz, 1H), 1.54 (m, 1H), 1.25 (d, J
) 7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.21 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (s on top of m,
21H), 1.00 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (t, J ) 8.0 Hz, 9H), 0.63
(q, J ) 8.2 Hz, 6H); TLC Rf ) 0.76 (30% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 628.3830, found
628.3802.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,5R,6S,7R,8R)-
6-hydroxy-1,5,7-trimethyl-3-methylene-4-oxo-8-(triisopropyl-
siloxy)nonyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]propionyl]-
2-oxazolidinone (42a). To a solution of 162.5 mg (0.180 mmol)
in 5 mL of THF at 0 °C in a Nalgene bottle was added
approximately 4 mL of an HF‚pyridine stock solution (2 mL
of HF‚pyridine, 4 mL of pyridine, and 16 mL of THF). After
2.5 h, the reaction was quenched by the dropwise addition of
50 mL of saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution, and the resultant
mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 30 min. The mixture was then
partitioned between 10 mL of CH2Cl2 and 10 mL of H2O. The
aqueous layer was separated and extracted with CH2Cl2 (5 ×
10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with a 1
M aqueous solution of NaHSO4, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4,
filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified
by flash chromatography (linear gradient 10 to 20% EtOAc/
hexanes, 2 × 13.5 cm SiO2) to afford 135.1 mg (95%) of a
clear colorless oil: [R]23D -45.2° (c 0.782, CH2Cl2); IR (neat)
3462, 3036, 2968, 2941, 2867, 1784, 1693, 1662 cm-1; 1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.53 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.20 (m,
8H), 5.97 (s, 1H), 5.71 (s, 1H), 5.56 (s, 1H), 4.72 (m, 1H),
4.26 (dq, J ) 2.3, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (app t, J ) 10.1 Hz, 1H),
4.19 (dd, J ) 2.9, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.12 (m, 2H), 4.03 (dd, J ) 2.2,
11.2 Hz, 1H), 3.51 (dd, J ) 1.8, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 3.28 (dq, J )
2.4, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.25 (dd, J ) 13.3, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 2.87 (dd, J
) 3.3, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.18 (dd,
J ) 9.1, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 1.91 (m, 1H), 1.82 (q, J ) 7.0 Hz, 1H),
1.71 (m, 1H), 1.42 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 1.19 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz,
3H), 1.08 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (s on top of m, 21H), 0.89
(d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.77 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.765 (d, J )
7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.50 (30% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS
(FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 814.4690 found 814.4689.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,4S,5R,6R,-
7R,8R)-4,6-dihydroxy-1,5,7-trimethyl-3-methylene-8-(triiso-
propylsiloxy)nonyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]pro-
pionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (43). To a clear yellow solution of
purified aldol adduct (302.0 g, 0.382 mmol) in 19.1 mL of CH2-
Cl2 at -50 °C was added a solution of Zn(BH4)2 in Et2O (20.4
mL, 0.15 M solution). The resultant clear solution was stirred
for 15.5 h at -50 °C before the reaction was warmed to 0 °C
and maintained at that temperature for 1 h. The reaction was
then treated with 20 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of NH4-
Cl at 0 °C. The mixture was stirred vigorously as it was warmed
to ambient temperature. After 10 min at ambient temperature,
the mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 10 mL). The
combined organics were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The resultant clear colorless oil was
azeotroped with MeOH (3 × 100 mL). Analysis of the
unpurified material by HPLC (Zorbax, 15% EtOAc/hexanes,
flow rate 2.0 mL/min, 254 nm) revealed a >99:1 ratio of
(2R,3S,4S,5R)-3-(triethylsiloxy)-5-(triisopropylsiloxy)-2,4-
dimethylhexanoic Acid (40a). To a solution of 220.4 mg
(0.364 mmol) of imide in 11.3 mL of THF at 0 °C was added
0.330 mL (2.91 mmol) of a 30% aqueous solution of H2O2
followed by 3.64 mL (0.728 mmol) of a 0.2 M aqueous solution
of LiOH. The resultant clear colorless solution was stirred at
0 °C for 2 d before it was quenched by the addition of 10 mL
of a 1.5 M aqueous solution of Na2SO3. The mixture was stirred
vigorously at 0 °C. After 30 min, the mixture was extracted
by CH2Cl2 (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic layers were
dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The
residue was purified by flash chromatography (10% EtOAc/
hexanes, 3 × 13.5 cm SiO2), to afford 63.2 mg (98%) of
recovered oxazolidinone and 147.6 mg (91%) of the desired
acid as a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -8.91° (c 1.10, CH2Cl2);
D
IR (neat) 3077, 2946, 2868, 2728, 2636, 1708 cm-1;1H NMR
(400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 4.23 (dd, J ) 3.8, 5.8 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (app
quint, J ) 6.1 Hz, 1H), 2.70 (dq, J ) 3.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.58
(m, 1H), 1.24 (d, J ) 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.17 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H),
1.07 (s on top of m, 21H), 0.95 (d, J ) 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (t, J
) 7.8 Hz, 9H), 0.61 (q, J ) 7.8 Hz, 6H); TLC Rf ) 0.69 (30%
EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
469.3145, found 469.3144.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S,5R,6S,7S,8R)-
6-(triethylsiloxy)-1,5,7-trimethyl-3-methylene-4-oxo-8-(triiso-
propylsiloxy)nonyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-yl]pro-
pionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (42). To a solution of 140.0 mg (0.326
mmol) acid in 6.5 mL of benzene at ambient temperature was
added 0.0710 mL (0.814 mmol) of oxalyl chloride neat via
syringe. A catalytic amount (2 µL) of DMF was added, and
the resultant solution was stirred for 4 h before it was azeotroped
with benzene (3 × 10 mL) and placed under reduced pressure
(5 Torr) for 2 h.
The pale yellow acid chloride was dissolved in 5.0 mL of
benzene and treated with 9.4 mg (0.0103 mmol) of tris-
(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium, followed by 0.0110 mL
(0.0614 mmol) of Hu¨nig’s base. To the resultant purple solution
was added 130.9 mg (0.205 mmol) of vinylstannane in 1.5 mL
of benzene (1 × 1 mL rinse) via cannula. After 30 min at
ambient temperature, the solution had faded to green/black, and
an additional 9.4 mg of palladium was added to regenerate the
purple color. After an additional 10 h, the reaction was filtered
through a pad of SiO2 with 20 mL of EtOAc, and concentrated
in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography
(linear gradient 50% CH2Cl2/hexanes to 68% CH2Cl2/2%
EtOAc/30% hexanes, 3 × 11 cm SiO2) to afford 9.5 mg (17%)
of the lactone derived from the excess carboxylic acid and 162.5
mg (88%) of the desired enone as a clear pale yellow oil: [R]23
D
-45.4° (c 1.03, CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3036, 2944, 2868, 1784,

5940 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
diastereomers. The product was purified by flash chromatog-
3036, 2940, 2865, 1784, 1695 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 7.50-7.20 (m, 10H), 5.50 (s, 1H), 4.72 (m, 1H), 4.24
(app t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (dd, J ) 2.9, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.19
(m, 1H), 4.09 (m, 2H), 3.85 (d, J ) 9.9 Hz, 1H), 3.67 (s, 1H),
3.63 (d, J ) 5.6 Hz, 1H), 3.36 (dd, J ) 1.8, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 3.25
(dd, J ) 3.3, 13.3 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H),
2.69 (d, J ) 5.1 Hz, 1H), 2.50 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 1H), 1.83 (q,
J ) 7.1 Hz, 1H), 1.72 (m, 1H), 1.60 (m, 1H), 1.40 (d, J ) 6.2
Hz, 3H), 1.26 (m, 1H), 1.11 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (s on top
of m, 21H), 0.95 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.88 (d, J
) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.86 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.56 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz,
3H), 0.10 (s, 3H), 0.09 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.58 (30% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 946.5661
found 946.5696.
raphy (linear gradient 10 to 20% EtOAc/hexanes, 3 × 11 cm
SiO2), to afford 260.5 mg (86%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23
D
-36.5° (c 1.01, CH2Cl2 ); IR (neat) 3423, 2942, 2967, 1785,
1694 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.50-7.20 (m, 10H),
5.53 (s, 1H), 5.25 (s, 1H), 5.15 (s, 1H), 4.94 (s, 1H), 4.73 (m,
1H), 4.34 (s, 1H), 4.32 (s, 1H), 4.24 (app t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H),
4.19 (dd, J ) 2.8, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.10 (m, 2H), 4.02 (dq, J ) 3.2,
6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (d, J ) 10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.51 (dd, J ) 1.7, 9.7
Hz, 1H), 3.25 (dd, J ) 3.3, 13.3 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (dd, J ) 13.3,
9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.66 (d, J ) 13.5 Hz, 1H), 1.96 (m, 1H), 1.84 (q,
J ) 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.81 (m, 1H), 1.66 (m, 2H), 1.41 (d, J ) 6.1
Hz, 3H), 1.23 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (s on top of m, 21H),
0.89 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.84 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.80 (d, J
) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.51 (d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.43 (30%
EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
816.4847 found 816.4856.
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S)-2-[(2S,3S,-
4R,5S)-3-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)tetrahydro-2-(hydroxy-
methyl)-4-methyl-5-[(1R,2R)-1-methyl-2-(triisopropylsiloxy)-
propyl]-2-furyl]-1-methylethyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-
4-yl]propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (46). Data for the rearranged
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S)-2-[(2R)-2-
[(1S,2R,3R,4R,5R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-5-(triisopro-
pylsiloxy)hexyl]oxiranyl]-1-methylethyl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-
m-dioxan-4-yl)propionyl]-2-oxazolidinone (44). To a solution
of 114.0 mg (0.144 mmol) diol in 14 mL of benzene at ambient
temperature was added ∼0.100 mL (0.550 mmol) of a 5.5 M
solution of tert-butyl hydroperoxide in decane followed by 2.0
mg (0.00719) of VO(acac)2. The wine red solution was stirred
for 45 min before the reaction was quenched by the addition of
15 mL of a 1 M aqueous solution of Na2SO3. The mixture
was extracted with Et2O (2 × 10 mL). The combined organic
layers were then washed with brine (1 × 10 mL), dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The
residue was purified by flash chromatography (30% EtOAc/
hexanes, 2 × 9 cm Et3N-doped SiO2) to afford 106.3 mg (91%)
tetrahydrofuran compound: [R]23 -40.0° (c 0.600, CH2Cl2);
D
IR (neat) 3539, 3032, 2939, 2865, 1785, 1694 cm-1;1H NMR
(500 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.50-7.20 (m, 10H), 5.49 (s, 1H), 4.72
(m, 1H), 4.36 (dq, J ) 1.1, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (app t, J ) 9.1
Hz, 1H), 4.20 (dd, J ) 2.8, 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.10 (m, 1H), 4.07
(dd, J ) 1.3, 10.0 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (dd, J ) 3.1, 10.4 Hz, 1H),
3.92 (s, 1H), 3.76 (d, J ) 13.1 Hz, 1H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.25
(dd, J ) 3.2, 13.4 Hz, 1H), 2.76 (dd, J ) 13.4, 9.6 Hz, 1H),
1.84 (m, 2H), 1.68 (m, 1H), 1.60 (m, 2H), 1.51 (dd, J ) 7.3,
13.4 Hz, 1H), 1.37 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 1.14 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz,
3H), 1.05 (s on top of m, 21H), 0.95 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.92
(d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.83 (s, 9H), 0.72 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H),
0.51 (d, J ) 7.4 Hz, 3H), 0.02 (s, 3H), -0.05 (s, 3H); TLC Rf
) 0.64 (30% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for
[M + Na]+ 946.5661 found 946.5669.
of a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -27.2° (c 1.16, CH2Cl2); IR
D
(neat) 3434, 3036, 2941, 2886, 1785, 1695 cm-1;1H NMR (400
MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.50-7.20 (m, 10H), 5.51 (s, 1H), 4.87 (s,
1H), 4.73 (m, 1H), 4.25 (app t, J ) 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (dd, J )
2.8, 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.18 (s, 1H), 4.09 (m, 2H), 4.05 (dq, J ) 2.9,
6.6 Hz, 1H), 3.85 (d, J ) 10.1 Hz, 1H), 3.70 (s, 1H), 3.36 (dd,
J ) 1.7, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 3.25 (dd, J ) 3.3, 13.3 Hz, 1H), 3.06 (d,
J ) 4.5 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (dd, J ) 13.3, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.68 (d, J )
1.3, 14.7 Hz, 1H), 2.41 (d, J ) 5.5 Hz, 1H), 1.90-1.75 (m,
4H), 1.40 (d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 1.19 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.05
(s on top of m, 21H), 1.01 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.94 (m, 1H),
0.87 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.85 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.40 (d, J
) 7.0 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.19 (30% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS
(FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 832.4796 found 832.4796.
(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S)-2-[(2R)-2-[(1S,2R,3S,4R,5R)-1-(tert-
Butyldimethylsiloxy)-3-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-5-(triisopropyl-
siloxy)hexyl]oxiranyl]-1-methylethyl]-4-[(1R)-1-carboxyeth-
1-yl]-5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxane (47). To a solution of
172.1 mg (0.186 mmol) of imide in 5.7 mL of THF at 0 °C
was added 0.169 mL (1.49 mmol) of a 30% aqueous solution
of H2O2 followed by 1.86 mL (0.372 mmol) of a 0.2 M aqueous
solution of LiOH. The resultant clear colorless solution was
stirred at 0 °C for 36 h before an additional aliquot of H2O2
solution was added. After a total of 60 h, the reaction was
quenched by the addition of 5 mL of a 1.5 M aqueous solution
of Na2SO3. The mixture was stirred vigorously at 0 °C. After
30 min, the mixture was extracted by CH2Cl2 (7 × 5 mL). The
combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash
chromatography (linear gradient of 40% EtOAc/hexanes with
1 mL of Et3N/500 mL eluant to 50% EtOAc/hexanes with 5
drops of Et3N/100 mL eluant, to 5-10% MeOH/CH2Cl2, 2 ×
14.5 cm SiO2) to yield 28.7 mg (87%) of recovered oxazoli-
dinone and 159.2 g (93%) of a 1.5:1 Et3N to acid complex as
a clear colorless oil. In an analogous procedure, 128.8 mg
(0.140 mmoL) of the starting imide was cleaved to the
carboxylic acid and purified without Et3N to afford 98.1 mg
(92%) of the desired acid as a clear colorless oil for character-
(4R)-4-Benzyl-3-[(2R)-2-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S)-2-[(2R)-2-
[(1S,2R,3S,4R,5R)-1-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-3-hydroxy-2,4-
dimethyl-5-(triisopropylsiloxy)hexyl]oxiranyl]-1-methylethyl]-
5-methyl-2-phenyl-m-dioxan-4-yl)propionyl]-2-oxazolidin-
one (46). To a solution of 182.0 mg (0.225 mmol) of epoxy
diol in 22.5 mL of CH2Cl2 at -78 °C was added 0.210 mL
(1.80 mmol) of 2,6-lutidine, followed by 0.258 mL (1.12 mmol)
of TBSOTf. The resultant clear colorless solution was stirred
at -78 °C for 19 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition
of 4 mL of a saturated solution of aqueous NaHCO3 and warmed
to ambient temperature. The layers were separated, and the
aqueous layer was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 10 mL). The
combined organics were washed with 1 N NaHSO4 (1 × 10
mL) and brine (1 × 10 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and
concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash
chromatography (10% EtOAc/hexanes with 1 mL of Et3N/500
mL eluant, 3 × 12 cm SiO2) to yield 172.1 g (83%) of a clear
ization purposes: [R]23 -12.2° (c 1.02 CH2Cl2); IR (neat)
D
3477, 3036, 2940, 2866, 1738, 1709 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHZ,
CDCl3) δ 7.50-7.30 (m, 5H), 5.46 (s, 1H), 4.19 (dq, J ) 1.4,
6.4, 1H), 3.87 (d, J ) 9.9 Hz, 1H), 3.83 (d, J ) 11.1 Hz, 1H),
3.63 (d, J ) 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.32 (d, J ) 9.8 Hz, 1H), 2.80 (dq,
J ) 6.9, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 2.69 (d, J ) 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.51 (d, J )
colorless oil: [R]23 -48.1° (c 1.01 CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3472,
D

Syntheses of Macrolide Antibiotics
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998 5941
5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.48 (d, J ) 14.9 Hz, 1H), 1.90 (m, 1H), 1.82 (q,
J ) 6.8 Hz, 1H). 1.74 (m, 1H), 1.61 (m, 1H), 1.35 (d, J ) 6.8
Hz, 3H), 1.26 (m, 1H), 1.11 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (s on top
of m, 21H), 0.97 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H),
0.89 (s, 9H), 0.86 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.56 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz,
3H), 0.10 (s, 3H), 0.09 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.25 (30% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 787.4976
found 787.4979.
(dd, J ) 4.0, 10.0 Hz, 1H), 3.70 (dd, J ) 0.9, 11.0 Hz, 1H),
2.97 (d, J ) 9.7 Hz, 1H), 2.94 (d, J ) 4.0 Hz, 1H), 2.84 (dq,
J ) 6.6, 11.0 Hz, 1H), 2.47 (d, J ) 4.0 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (d, J )
5.8 Hz, 1H), 2.18 (dd, J ) 2.0, 15.5 Hz, 1H), 2.13 (m, 1H),
2.09 (m, 1H), 1.99 (dd, J ) 12.1, 15.5 Hz, 1H), 1.94 (m, 1H),
1.60 (m, 1H), 1.26 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.22 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz,
3H), 1.14 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 1.11 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.94
(d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H), 0.92 (d, J ) 5.3 Hz, 3H), 0.91 (s, 9H),
0.08 (s, 3H), 0.04 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.49 (30% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 613.3537 found
613.3543.
(2S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(1S)-2-[(2R)-2-[(1S,2R,3S,4S,5R)-1-(tert-
Butyldimethylsiloxy)-3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethylhexyl]oxi-
ranyl]-1-methylethyl]-4-[(1R)-1-carboxyeth-1-yl]-5-methyl-
2-phenyl-m-dioxane (48). To a solution of 58.1 mg (0.0634
mmoL) of a 1.5:1 Et3N to acid complex in 3.2 mL of THF was
added 0.0855 mL (6.35 mmol) of Et3N, followed by ∼500 mg
of Et3N‚HF (excess) (which had been prepared from HF‚
pyridine complex and Et3N, pyridine, and unreacted Et3N
pumped off in vacuo, and stored as a white crystalline solid
under argon). The slightly opalescent mixture was stirred at
ambient temperature for 9 d with additional Et3N‚HF added at
14 h and day 3 before the reaction was quenched at 0 °C by
the dropwise addition of 5 mL of a saturated aqueous solution
of NaHCO3. The residue was purifed by prep plate chroma-
tography (1 mm, 5% MeOH/CH2Cl2 with 2 mL Et3N/200 mL
eluant) to afford 2.3 mg (4%) starting material and 35.5 mg
(79%, 83% based on recovered starting material) of a 1:1 Et3N
to desired dihydroxy acid complex as a clear colorless oil. In
an analogous procedure, 101.1 mg (0.110 mmol) of Et3N-free
starting acid was desilylated in a similar manner and purified
without the presence of Et3N to afford 17.4 mg (17.2%)
recovered starting material and 37.2 mg (56%, 70% based on
recovered starting material) of Et3N-free dihydroxy acid as a
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,9S,10R,11S,12S,13R)-3,5-[(S)-(Ben-
zylidene)dioxy]-8,8-(epoxymethano)-9,11-dihydroxy-2,4,6,-
10,12,13-hexamethyltetradecanolide (52). To a solution of
4.6 mg (0.0078 mmol) in 0.250 mL of THF at ambient
temperature in a polyethylene tube was added approximately
0.250 mL of an HF‚pyridine stock solution (2 mL of HF‚
pyridine, 4 mL of pyridine, and 16 mL of THF). After 2.5 d,
the reaction was cooled to 0 °C and quenched by the dropwise
addition of 5 mL of saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution. The
mixture was then partitioned between 5 mL of CH2Cl2 and 5
mL of H2O. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted
with CH2Cl2 (5 × 5 mL). The combined organic layers were
washed with a 1 M aqueous solution of NaHSO4, dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The
residue was purified by flash chromatography (50% EtOAc/
hexanes with 20 drops of pyridine/100 mL of eluant, 0.75 ×
9.5 cm SiO2) to afford 3.7 mg (100%) of a clear colorless oil:
[R]23 +5.4° (c 0.245 CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3479, 3036, 2975,
D
2938, 2882, 1728 cm-1; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.50-
7.30 (m, 5H), 5.77 (dq, J ) 1.2, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 5.56 (s, 1H), 3.97
(d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.84 (dd, J ) 3.6, 10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (dd,
J ) 1.1, 10.9 Hz, 1H), 3.01 (d, J ) 10.2 Hz, 1H), 2.98 (d, J )
4.0 Hz, 1H), 2.85 (dq, J ) 6.6, 11.0 Hz, 1H, 2.53 (d, J ) 4.0
Hz, 1H), 2.38 (d, J ) 5.5 Hz, 1H), 2.21 (dd, J ) 2.3, 15.5 Hz,
1H), 2.11 (m, 2H), 1.97 (dd on top of m, J ) 11.9, 15.5 Hz,
2H), 1.63 (m, 1H), 1.27 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.22 (d, J ) 6.6
Hz, 3H), 1.15 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 1.11 (d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H),
1.01 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf )
0.06 (30% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M
+ Na]+ 499.2672 found 499.2659.
clear colorless oil: [R]23 +2.7° (c 0.811 CHCl3); IR (neat)
D
3446, 3068, 2974, 2933, 2862, 2574, 1782 cm-1;1H NMR (400
MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.44-7.33 (m, 5H), 5.49 (s, 1H), 3.86-3.70
(m, 5H), 3.33 (dd, J ) 1.7, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 2.81 (dq, J ) 6.9, 10.1
Hz, 1H), 2.73 (d, J ) 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.58 (d, J ) 14.7 Hz, 1H),
2.51 (d, J ) 4.7 Hz, 1H), 1.90 (m, 1H), 1.82 (m, 2H), 1.74 (m,
1H), 1.37 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.15 (m, 1H), 1.09 (d, J ) 6.5
Hz, 3H), 0.98 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H),
0.91 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.54 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz,
3H), 0.13 (s, 3H), 0.12 (s, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.35 (10% MeOH/
CH2Cl2). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 631.3642
found 631.3657.
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,10R,11S,12S,13R)-3,5-[(S)-(Benzylidene)-
dioxy]-8,8-(epoxymethano)-11-hydroxy-2,4,6,10,12,13-hexa-
methyl-9-oxotetradecanolide (52a). To a solution of 4.9 mg
(0.0103 mmol) dihydroxylactone in 0.5 mL of CH2Cl2 and 0.5
mL of DMF at ambient temperature was added (0.0143 mL,
0.103 mmol) triethylamine and via cannula a solution of 13.1
mg (0.0824 mmol) of SO3‚pyridine in 0.5 mL of DMF. After
1 h, the reaction was treated with equal allotments of Et3N and
oxidizing agent. Again at 2 h, a third allotment was added and
the reaction stirred for 1 h (total 3 h). The reaction was
quenched by the addition of 5 mL of a saturated aqueous
solution of NaHCO3. The mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2
(3 × 5 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with
a 1 M aqueous solution of NaHSO4 (1 × 3 mL), brine (1 × 3
mL), dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated
in Vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography
(20% EtOAc/hexanes, 0.75 × 9 cm SiO2) to afford 4.1 mg
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,9S,10R,11S,12S,13R)-3,5-[(S)-(Ben-
zylidene)dioxy]-9-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-8,8-(epoxymeth-
ano)-11-hydroxy-2,4,6,10,12,13-hexamethyltetradecanolide (51).
To a solution of 30.0 mg (0.0493 mmol) of Et3N-free
dihydroxy acid in 0.5 mL of benzene at ambient temperature
were added 0.265 mL (1.48 mmol) of Hu¨nig’s base and 0.154
mL (0.987 mmol) 2,4,6-trichlorobenzoyl chloride. The resultant
solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 8 h before it
was diluted by the addition of 50 mL of benzene and treated
with 240.9 mg (1.97 mmol) N,N-(dimethylamino)pyridine. After
24 h, the resultant white mixture was quenched by the addition
of 30 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of NH4Cl. The
mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 20 mL). The combined
organic layers were washed with brine (1 × 20 mL), dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The
residue was purified by flash chromatography (15% EtOAc/
hexanes after loading in CH2Cl2, 1 × 15 cm SiO2) to afford
29.2 mg (100%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23D +3.7° (c 0.310
CH2Cl2); IR (neat) 3552, 3036, 2934, 2887, 1727 cm-1;1H NMR
(400 MHZ, CDCl3) δ 7.52-7.33 (m, 5H), 5.77 (dq, J ) 1.2,
6.6 Hz, 1H), 5.55 (s, 1H), 3.92 (dd, J ) 1.1, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.83
(84%) of a clear colorless oil: [R]23 -49.1° (c 0.205 CH2-
D
Cl2); IR (neat) 3520, 3067, 2976, 2941, 1727, 1715 cm-1; H
1
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.53-7.32 (m, 5H), 5.77 (dq, J )
1.1, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 5.58 (s, 1H), 4.39 (dd, J ) 3.6, 10.3 Hz, 1H),
4.04 (dd, J ) 1.3, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (dd, J ) 1.1, 10.9 Hz,
1H), 3.13 (d, J ) 4.2 Hz, 1H), 3.06 (dq, J ) 1.9, 6.7 Hz, 1H),

5942 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, No. 24, 1998
EVans et al.
3.01 (d, J ) 4.2 Hz, 1H), 2.89 (dq, J ) 6.6, 10.9 Hz, 1H), 2.41
(d, J ) 5.4 Hz, 1H), 2.32 (dd, J ) 12.2, 15.0 Hz, 1H), 2.21 (m,
2H), 2.09 (dd, J ) 1.9, 15.0 Hz, 1H), 1.66 (m, 1H), 1.30 (d, J
) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.25 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.21 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz,
3H), 1.13 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.06 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.03
(d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.92 (30% EtOAc/hexanes).
HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 497.2515 found
497.2510.
of N,N-(dimethylamino)pyridine. The solution was stirred at
ambient temperature for 2 d at which time the reaction was
concentrated in vacuo and purifed directly by flash chromatog-
raphy (50% EtOAc/hexanes, 1 × 11 cm SiO2) to afford a 2.2
mg (64%) of a white powder: [R]23 +40.6° (c 1.00 CHCl3);
D
IR (neat) 2985, 2944, 1728, 1456 cm-1;1H NMR (400 MHZ,
CDCl3) δ 5.22 (dd, J ) 1.8, 10.0 Hz, 1H), 5.19 (dq, J ) 1.4,
6.6 Hz, 1H), 5.00 (dd, J ) 1.8, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 4.74 (dd, J ) 1.3,
5.8 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dq, J ) 1.8, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (dq, J ) 6.9,
10.1 Hz, 1H), 2.62 (d, J ) 5.7 Hz, 1H), 2.59 (m, 2H), 2.57 (d,
J ) 5.7 Hz, 1H), 2.31 (m, 1H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.02
(s, 3H), 1.86 (m, 1H), 1.36 (dd, J ) 11.8, 15.2 Hz, 1H), 1.25
(d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (m, J ) 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.06 (m, J )
6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (m, J ) 6.5 Hz, 3H), 1.01 (m, J ) 7.2 Hz,
3H), 1.006 (m, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.40 (50% EtOAc/
hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+ 535.2519
found 535.2523.
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,10R,11S,12S,13R)-8,8-(Epoxymethano)-
3,5,11-trihydroxy-2,4,6,10,12,13-hexamethyl-9-oxotetradec-
anolide, Oleandolide (2). To a solution of 3.1 mg (0.00654
mmol) of acetal in 1 mL of 1,4-dioxane was added 3.1 mg of
20% Pd(OH)2/C. The mixture was stirred under an atmosphere
of H2 (balloon pressure) for 1 h before the reaction was filtered
through a plug of Celite with 5 mL of EtOAc. Concentration
in vacuo afforded 2.6 mg (100%) of a clear colorless oil which
was revealed by 1H NMR to consist of a 3:1 ratio of
5,9-hemiacetal and 9-keto forms: [R]23D -11.4° (c 1.00 CHCl3);
IR (neat) 3467, 2974, 2944, 1718, 1456 cm-1;1H NMR (400
MHZ, CDCl3) (5,9-hemiacetal form) δ 5.01 (dq, J ) 2.3, 6.5
Hz, 1H), 4.04 (m, 2H), 3.36 (dd, J ) 1.4, 10.3 Hz, 1H), 3.33
(d, J ) 2.0 Hz, 1H), 2.98 (d, J ) 4.6 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (d, J ) 4.6
Hz, 1H), 2.55 (dq, J ) <1.0, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 2.28 (q, J ) 7.0 Hz,
1H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 1.93 (dd, J ) 12.5, 14.0 Hz, 1H), 1.69 (m,
2H), 1.43 (dd, J ) 4.2, 14.0 Hz, 1H), 1.34 (d, J ) 6.5 Hz, 3H),
1.14 (d, J ) 7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.03 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.01 (d, J
) 7.4 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, J ) 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.85 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz,
3H); (selected resonances for the 9-keto form) δ 5.67 (dq, J )
1.2, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (d, J ) 10.9 Hz, 1H), 3.82 (dd, J ) 1.5,
10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.07 (d, J ) 4.5 Hz, 1H), 3.03 (dq, J ) 1.8, 6.7
Hz, 1H), 2.79 (d, J ) 4.5 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (dq, J ) 6.7, 10.1 Hz,
1H), 1.29 (d, J ) 6.7 Hz, 3H), 1.26 (d, J ) 6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.09
(d, J ) 6.1 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 3H); TLC Rf ) 0.18
(50% EtOAc/hexanes). HRMS (FAB) m/z calcd for [M + Na]+
409.2202 found 409.2186.
Acknowledgment. Support has been provided by the NIH
and NSF. We thank Dr. Andrew Tyler of the Harvard Mass
Spectrometry Facility for providing mass spectra; Abbott
Laboratories and Professor David C. Myles for natural samples
of 6-deoxyerythronolide B; Professor Kuniaki Tatsuta for
naturally derived samples of oleandolide and triacetylolean-
dolide; Professor Ian Paterson for NMR spectral data of
independently prepared samples of 2 and 53; Michael Dart,
Joseph Duffy, and Dr. Michael Yang (Harvard University) for
helpful discussions; and the NIH BRS Shared Instrumentation
Grant Program 1-S10-RR04870 and the NSF (CHE 88-14019)
for providing NMR facilities. A.S.K. gratefully acknowledges
support from the NIH through the Medical Scientist Training
Program and from the DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company.
Supporting Information Available: General information,
complete procedures, and full characterization data for all
compounds including NMR peak assignments and 13C spectra
(21 pages, print/PDF). See any current masthead page for
ordering information and Web access instructions.
(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S,8R,10R,11S,12S,13R)-3,5,11-Triacetoxy-
8,8-(epoxymethano)-2,4,6,10,12,13-hexamethyl-9-oxotetra-
decanolide, Triacetyloleandolide (53). To a solution of 2.6
mg (0.00674 mmol) of triol in 0.5 mL of pyridine were added
0.059 mL of (0.625 mmol) acetic anhydride and a single crystal
JA9806128