Studies toward the total synthesis of irumamycin: stereoselective preparation of the C(15)-C(27) segment via two-directional chain synthesis

The basic structure of the C(15)-C(27) part of irumamycin (1) was synthesized. Stereoselective assembly of C16, 17, 22, and an extra C21 stereocenter was achieved by two-directional Brown's asymmetric allyl boration. Group selective PMP acetal formation and oxidative cleavage of vinyl group facilitated the differentiation of the ends of a two-directionally synthesized chain.