Diastereocontrolled construction of pactamycin's complex ureido triol functional array.

An advanced intermediate in a projected synthesis of pactamycin has been prepared. Early installation of the C1-dimethylurea functionality allows for its participation in a diastereoselective, chelation-controlled addition of organometal nucleophiles to the C5 prochiral ketone. Four of the molecule's six stereocenters are set with a ketone functional handle provided for subsequent manipulation.