Stereocontrolled total synthesis of potent immunosuppressant FR901483.

A total synthesis of the potent immunosuppressant FR901483 (1) has been accomplished. The key feature of our convergent synthesis is the stereoselective incorporation of the p-methoxybenzyl and methylamino groups within the core moiety 10. Tricycle 10 was itself constructed by an intramolecular aldol reaction of the symmetrical keto-aldehyde 7. [Structure: see text]