Synthesis of brasilibactin A and confirmation of absolute configuration of β-hydroxy acid fragment

A synthesis of brasilibactin A, a cytotoxic siderophore from the actinomycete of Nocardia brasiliensis, and three unnatural diastereomers of the natural product is described. Four possible diastereomers of the β-hydroxy acid fragment were prepared via asymmetric aldol reactions and used to synthesize brasilibactin A and its diastereomers. Careful analysis of 1H NMR data confirmed that brasilibactin A possesses the 17S,18R absolute stereochemistry.