Aldolase-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Novel Pyranose Synthons as a New Entry to Heterocycles and Epothilones

Enzymatic reactions catalyzed by DERA provide the basis for a new strategy for the synthesis of novel pyranose synthons. The utility of this very convergent and effective method is demonstrated by the concise total synthesis of epothilones (see scheme; DERA=2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase).