Evolution of a gram-scale synthesis of (+)-discodermolide

An efficient, highly convergent, stereocontrolled total synthesis of the potent antimitotic agent (+)-discodermolide (1) has been achieved on gram scale. Key elements of the successful strategy include (1) elaboration of three advanced fragments from a common precursor (CP) which embodies the repeating stereochemical triad of the discodermolide backbone, (2) a-bond installation of the Z trisubstituted olefin, exploiting a modified Negishi cross-coupling reaction, (3) synthesis of a late-stage phosphonium salt utilizing high pressure, and (4) Wittig installation of the Z disubstituted olefin and the terminal (Z)-diene.