A convergent preparation of the C1–C13 fragment of amphotericin B from a single chiral precursor

A short, highly efficient, stereoconvergent synthesis of the polyolic chain, C1–C13, of the macrolide antibiotic amphotericin B is described. The key features of the synthesis are the use of a single chiral precursor for the establishment of the stereogenic centres in a short synthetic sequence, and the final alkyl lithium addition to the appropriate aldehyde, which showed high diastereoselectivity for the correct stereochemistry at the fifth stereogenic centre.