“…Aiming at the crucial cycloaldolization, we had to unmask an aldehyde functionality at the C-7 terminus; to do this, we decided to exploit a slightly modified version of the Swern oxidation, [12] which, fortunately enough, could be directly applied to a protected primary hydroxy group. Thus, 8 was first subjected to complete protection of its free OH groups as triethylsilyl ethers to give lactone 9 (TESOTf, pyridine, DMAP, 95%), which underwent direct oxidation to aldehyde 10 [DMSO, (COCl 2 ) 2 ; then Et 3 N, 98%].…”