Zaragozic acid A (squalestatin S1)(1) was converted into the simpler derivative 2, which was reconverted into the natural product, thus establishing 2 as a viable relay compound for total synthesis of 1. The degradation (Scheme 1) consisted of formation of the tri-tert-butyl ester (3), from which the two side chains were sequentially removed to obtain 8. Aldehyde 8 was converted into dimethyl acetal 2 in standard fashion. The C6 acyl side chain 14 was ...