The preparation of enantiomerically pure 2-propanoyl-1,3-propanediol derivatives, key intermediates in our studies on totalsynthesis of the potent antitumor compound Kazusamycin A are described. After various enzymatic protocols for desymmetrization of the prochiral diol were studied, it was found that these compounds could be prepared in 97–98% ee by means of an enzymatic kinetic resolution.
We describe herein a stereo-controlled and practical synthesis of three key building blocks, namely Segment AB', Segment D, and Segment E' needed for the total synthesis of (-)-kazusamycin A. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.