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The synthesis of the C1-C13 fragment 3 of leucascandrolide A has been compl
eted utilizing a stereoselective and regioselective reductive cleavage of a
highly functionalized spiroketal to incorporate the cis-2,6-disubstituted
tetrahydropyan. The spiroketal was constructed by addition of a lithiated,
pyrone 5 to aldehyde 6.