Toward a commercial synthesis of (+)-discodermolide.

In this review some of the criteria required for a viable chemical (+)-discodermolide production process are discussed by critical evaluation of the available literature approaches. A further route involving the use of polyketide synthase to produce (+)-discodermolide fragments by fermentation is also described. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages and require significant optimization in order to achieve commercialization of this important natural product.