De novo formal synthesis of (-)-apicularen A via an iterative asymmetric hydration sequence

[Structure: see text] A de novo approach to the formal total synthesis of the macrolide natural product (-)-apicularen A has been achieved in 18 steps from achiral starting materials. Both the absolute and relative stereochemistries of apicularen A were introduced by a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, a pi-allyl-palladium catalyzed reduction, a stereoselective reduction, and a base-promoted transannulation to install the C-9 stereocenter.