6-Vinyl (12) and (5R)- and (5S)-vinylproline (18, 19) analogues of ascomycin are synthesised starting from the known suitably protected (6S)-methoxy-9-hydroxy derivative (4) of ascomycin. The strategy involves hydrolytic cleavage of the C-epsilon-N bond of the pipecolic acid moiety, extension of the amino acid side chain by two or one carbon units, functional group manipulations, Pd-catalysed reinstallation of the C-epsilon-N or C-delta-N bonds, followed by deprotection and oxidation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.