Total Synthesis of Epothilone D: The Nerol/Macroaldolization Approach

A highly convergent and stereocontrolled synthesis of epothilone D (<b>4</b>) is reported. Key features are a cheap and <i>Z</i>-selective synthesis of the northern half based on nerol and acetoacetate and chromium­(II)-mediated Reformatsky reactions as a powerful tool for chemoselective asymmetric carbon–carbon bond formations, including an unusual stereospecific macroaldolization