Stereoselective synthesis of the C5-C18 fragment of halichomycin

An efficient and convergent synthesis of the C(5)-C(18) fragment of halichomycin is reported. Butanolide fragment 6 was readily prepared stereoselectively from (R)-Roche ester through catalyst control; dienylic bromide domain 7 was synthesized from (S)-serine by substrate control. C(5)-C(18) fragment 2 was rapidly assembled through a stereoselective alkylation of the butanolide with the dienylic bromide, followed by functional group transformations.