Application of the intramolecular Yamamoto vinylogous aldol reaction to the synthesis of macrolides.

ABSTRACT

An intramolecular version of the Yamamoto vinylogous aldol reaction, a method that employs the bulky Lewis acid ATPH to control the site of aldolization, is described. This macrocyclization process is effective for the construction of 10-, 12-, and 14-membered macrolides. The yields are high (70-90%), and the reaction can proceed with excellent remote stereocontrol (dr > or = 201) with chiral substrates.