Synthesis of an oxazoline analogue of apratoxin A.

[structure: see text] Michael addition of Me(2)Cu(CN)Li(2) to alpha,beta-unsaturated lactone 7 derived from beta-hydroxyl ketone 5 provides lactone 8, which is converted to alcohol 11 using Oppolzer's methodology as the key step. Connection of 11 with the l-proline moiety and subsequent installation of an oxazoline ring affords 16, which is coupled with tripeptide 21; subsequent macrocyclization then furnishes 4, an oxazoline analogue of apratoxin A.