First total synthesis of the antitumor compound (-)-kazusamycin A and absolute structure determination.

The first total synthesis of kazusamycin A, a potent antitumor compound from an actinomycete, has been achieved, and its absolute structure was determined. Paterson's stereoselective aldol reaction was successfully applied to construct the contiguous chiral centers by using an originally designed optically active 2-acyl-1,3-propanediol derivative.