Studies toward asymmetric synthesis of leiodelide A

An enantioselective route for oxazoline 4, a key fragment toward the asymmetric synthesis of leiodelide A, is described. We synthesized northern subunit 6 through a Julia–Lythgoe olefination and subsequent Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation. Moreover, a highly diastereoselective method using well-established Evans’ asymmetric aldol condensation was developed for preparation of southern fragment 5. The additional feature of this synthetic route is the formation of oxazoline 4 through DAST-promoted cyclization of the amidation product from subunits 5 and 6.