Total Synthesis and Configurational Assignment of (−)‐Dictyostatin, a Microtubule‐Stabilizing Macrolide of Marine Sponge Origin

A flexible and modular approach was used in the convergent and highly stereocontrolled synthesis of the antimitotic agent dictyostatin. This first total synthesis establishes its full stereochemistry and should be amenable to producing useful quantities and designed analogues of this molecule, whose conformation closely resembles that of discodermolide (see overlayed structures).