Total synthesis of epothilone D: the nerol/macroaldolization approach.

A highly convergent and stereocontrolled synthesis of epothilone D (4) is reported. Key features are a cheap and Z-selective synthesis of the northern half based on nerol and acetoacetate and chromium(II)-mediated Reformatsky reactions as a powerful tool for chemoselective asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formations, including an unusual stereospecific macroaldolization.