The reaction of epothilone A (I) with Tes-Cl, DIEA and imidazole in DMF gives the silylated compound (II), which is treated with MgBr2/Et2O in dichloromethane to attain the opening of the epoxide ring, yielding the bromohydrin (III). The oxidation of (III) with PCC in pyridine affords the bromoketone (IV), which by reaction with KCN and 18-C-6 in THF produces the silylated cyano-substituted epothilone A (V). Finally, this compound is desilylated by means of TFA in dichloromethane to yield the target cyano-epothilone A. (1,2)