A de novo enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-laulimalide

Laulimalide is a naturally occurring microtubule-stabilizing agent first isolated from the marine sponges Hyattella sp. and Spongia mycofijiensis. A de novo enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-laulimalide is achieved. The synthesis is characterized by extensive use of new reaction methodology derived from asymmetric aldehyde cyclocondensation (AAC) reactions and ensuing transformations of the derived enantioenriched beta-lactones.