Total synthesis of bafilomycin A(1) relying on iterative 1,2-induction in acyclic precursors.

The macrolide bafilomycin A(1) was synthesized starting from D-valine and D-mannitol as chiral progenitors of propionate units. Acyclic subunits corresponding to different parts of the molecule were constructed based on an iterative 1,2-asymmetric induction protocol as a distinctive feature of the synthesis. The assembly of two segments encompassing the entire carbon framework of the macrolide was achieved by using a Stille coupling. The resulting seco-ester was further manipulated to provide crystalline bafilomycin A(1) via a conventional carbodiimide-mediated Keck-type macrolactonization.