Reductive amination, amide formation using BOP [(1H-1,2,3-benzotriazol-1-yl
oxy)tris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate] and esterification
via DCC (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) were the key synthetic steps to generat
e an advanced intermediate in the preparation of a didemnin B analog based
on a sugar scaffolding (2). This analog should provide insight into the bio
active conformation of didemnin B.