A new synthesis of cytoxazone and its diastereomers provides key initial SAR information

A short, enantioselective, and diastereoselective synthesis of cytoxazone, a Th2-selective immunomodulator from Streptomyces, is described. The route was readily adapted to the synthesis of the three other stereoisomers of natural cytoxazone. Evaluation of these compounds revealed that the stereochemical configuration of the oxazolidinone ring did not influence their biological activity.