Cram coupling product

The issue of stereochemistry, on the other hand, is more ambiguous. A priori, an aldol condensation between compounds 3 and 4 could proceed with little or no selectivity for a particular aldol dia-stereoisomer. For the desired C-7 epimer (compound 2) to be produced preferentially, the crucial aldol condensation between compounds 3 and 4 would have to exhibit Cram-Felkin-Anh selectivity22 23 (see 3 + 4 - 2, Scheme 9). In light of observations made during the course of Kishi s lasalocid A synthesis,12 there was good reason to believe that the preferred stereochemical course for the projected aldol reaction between intermediates 3 and 4 would be consistent with a Cram-Felkin-Anh model. Thus, on the basis of the lasalocid A precedent, it was anticipated that compound 2 would emerge as the major product from an aldol coupling of intermediates 3 and 4. 

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