A cyclopropanol approach to the synthesis of both enantiomers of the C13–C21 fragment of epothilones

Efficient syntheses of both enantiomers of the C13–C21 fragment of epothilone molecules have been performed by use of enantiomeric oxiranyl-substituted cyclopropylsulfonates as key intermediates. The latter were obtained by the cyclopropanation of easily available (R)-methyl 2,3-O-isopropylideneglycerate and subsequent manipulation of the functional groups. Asymmetric allylation of 1-formylcyclopropyl pivalate led to an alternative precursor of the target compounds with moderate enantioselectivity.