Chain discodermolide synthesis

The utility of RCM methodology for the synthesis of open-chain building blocks from a,fi-unsaturated d-lactones is exemplified by the partial syntheses of Cossy aimed for (+)-methynolide (the aglycon of the methymicin family of macrolide antibiotics) [45], and the anticancer agent discodermolide [46], as well as during a recent total synthesis of the highly cytotoxic marine natural depsipeptide apratoxin A by Forsyth and Chen [47]. 

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