A Stereoselective Aldol-Reduction Approach to Polyoxygenated Natural Products. Synthesis of C1-C6 Fragment of Erythronolides

A new synthetic approach directed toward the preparation of C1-C6 fragment of erythronolides is disclosed. The core of the process takes advantage of a highly stereoselective sequence based on a boron- mediated aldol reaction of a lactate-derived chiral ketone followed by a syn-reduction of the resulting adduct.