Patent ID: 6989450

Claim:
A method for use in producing epothilones and analogs and derivatives thereof, comprising: (a) performing an aldol condensation of a first compound of the formula: and stereoisomers thereof, with a second compound selected from the formulas: and stereoisomers thereof, thereby to form a third compound of the formula: and stereolsomers thereof wherein Z is wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are each selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, and substitutions thereof; wherein R 5 , R 6 , R 7 and R 8 are each selected from H and a protecting group; wherein R 13 is H or a metal salt; and wherein M is an alkali metal salt or transition metal salt; and (b) performing a macrolactonization of the third compound thereby to form a fourth compound of the formula: and stereoisomers thereof, wherein A is wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are each selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, and substitutions thereof; and wherein R 5 , R 7 and R 8 are each selected from H and a protecting group.