Stereoselective syntheses of 11-α-methoxycurvularin and 11-β-methoxycurvularin

A stereoselective synthesis of potent cytotoxic macrolides, 11-α-methoxycurvularin and 11-β-methoxycurvularin has been accomplished. The synthesis entailed Maruoka asymmetric allylation to introduce the stereocentres at C-11 and the key fragment was installed by using Grubbs cross-metathesis followed by CBS-reduction.