Total synthesis of emericellamides A and B

A concise total synthesis of emericellamides A and B, two cyclic depsipeptides exhibiting antibacterial and cytotoxic activities, is reported. A Paterson anti-aldol reaction and a hydroxy directed 1,3-anti reduction were applied for construction of the polypropionate unit with the required stereochemistry in emericellamides A and B. An FDPP mediated macrolactamization was used to construct the macrocycle of emericellamides A and B.