Synthetic studies of antascomicin A: Construction of C1-C16 fragment

This communication describes the stereoselective synthesis of C1-C16 fragment of antascomicin A, a non-immunosuppressive immunophil-binding natural product. Evans aldol reaction was used extensively to install all the stereo centres present in the fragment. The hemikatel present in the fragment was synthesized via DMP-mediated oxidation of β-hydroxy amide followed by acid catalyzed hemiketalization.