Synthetic studies on antascomicin A: construction of the C18-C34 fragment

Stereoselective synthesis of the C18-C34 fragment of antascomicin A is described. Construction of the C27-C34 carbocycle moiety was achieved via catalytic Ferrier carbocylization and Johnson-Claisen rearrangement, which was converted to iodide 2 by use of asymmetric alkylation and Sharpless epoxidation as key transformations. Coupling of iodide 2 and sulfone 3 furnished the C18-C34 fragment.