 The half structure of the symmetrical macrodiolide aplasmomycin A was synthesized by alkylation of a C3-C10 ?-sulfonyl ketone subunit, prepared from (R)-pulegone and protected as a C3 ortholactone with (2R,3R)-butanediol, by a protected 15,16-dihydroxy (12E)-allylic chloride representing C11-C17. 