Objective An attractive approach to preparing molecules with common repeat units is iterative synthesis, an approach that is extensively used by Nature in the synthesis of large biomolecules. Nature also uses this tactic for small-molecule synthesis even though common repeat units are not always immediately apparent, the archetypical example being polyketide synthesis. In contrast, iterative strategies in chemical synthesis are often much less efficient requiring several functional-group interconversions and purifications between chain-extension steps. We recently reported an “Assembly Line Synthesis” method for the iterative, reagent-controlled homologation (chain extension) of a boronic ester. This process enabled the conversion of a simple boronic ester into a molecule bearing 10 contiguous methyl substituents in an effectively “one-pot” process. Whilst these methyl-rich carbon chains are rare in natural products, hydroxyl-rich carbon chains (1,3-polyols) are ubiquitous and often show pronounced and useful biological activity. It would therefore be very useful if this or a related strategy could be applied to the fully stereocontrolled synthesis of 1,3-polyols. Herein, we outline a general strategy for the synthesis of 1,3-polyols that hinges on the merging of two well-established methodologies: lithiation–borylation and catalytic diboration. We expect to achieve complete control over both relative and absolute stereochemistry in the iterative synthesis of 1,3-polyboronic esters, enabling stereochemistry to be essentially dialled-in. Subsequent oxidation of the boron esters reveals the desired 1,3-related polyol. The strategy will be applied to the total synthesis of one of the most complex polyols known, bahamaolide A, a macrocyclic polyol–polyene natural product with potent antifungal properties. This strategy promises to be the most efficient synthetic route to these highly biologically active and hugely important class of compounds. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectrolysisnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL Net EU contribution € 183 454,80 Address BEACON HOUSE QUEENS ROAD BS8 1QU Bristol United Kingdom See on map Region South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bristol, City of Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 183 454,80