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In 2006, the secondary metabolite leiodolide A was isolated from a newly discovered deep-sea sponge of the genus Leiodermatium. The 19-membered macrolide represented a new class of mixed polyketide, nonribosomal, peptide synthetase natural products. A total synthesis of leiodolide A is yet to be achieved and is of specific interest, not only for its complex structure and undefined stereochemistry, but also the potent cytotoxic properties it possesses, particularly towards leukaemia, non-small cell lung and ovarian cancers. A synthetic strategy for leiodolide A must be flexible to overcome the currently unresolved stereochemistry and a convergent route towards the synthesis of the molecule required three subunits. Following the earlier synthesis of the C21-C25 vinyl stannane fragment, this work describes the synthesis of the C1-C10 subunit in the both possible diastereomeric forms. The synthesis of the two required C13 epimers of the C11-C20 subunit is also detailed accompanied by an investigation into potential fragment coupling, in preparation for total synthesis.

Leiodolide A is a unique natural product isolated from Pacific marine sponges which has provided an interesting target for total synthesis due to its complex structure and undefined stereochemistry. Although synthetic work towards the synthesis of sister compound leiodolide B has been published, the total synthesis of leiodolide A is yet to be achieved but remains an important target due to high potency against leukaemia, non-small lung and ovarian cancers. The convergent strategy towards the synthesis of leiodolide A involved the synthesis of three subunits; a synthetic route to the C21-C25 vinyl stannane is described, and efforts towards the synthesis of the bidirectional C11-C20 subunit are detailed. Asymmetric vinylogous aldol methodology was developed for the installation of the 1,2-syn propionate motif found in the C1-C10 subunit and in other polypropionate natural products, and was shown to be applicable to a range of substrates in moderate diastereoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity.