Synthesis of the C15-C27 fragment of the antitumor agent laulimalide

A stereocontrolled synthesis of the C15-C27 fragment of laulimalide is described. Key features are a divergent-convergent synthesis from (R)-glycidol, an interesting formation of a trisubstituted double bond via ring closing metathesis with Grubbs' ruthenium catalyst and a site selective protection of a syn-1,2-diol. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.