Leucomycin A5 (I) is acetylated with acetic anhydride giving the corresponding 2'-O-acetyl derivative (II), which is converted to the 3,9-di-O-trimethylsilyl compound (III) by reaction with trimethylsilyl chloride and pyridine. The reaction of (III) with propionyl chloride and tribenzylamine affords 2'-O-acetyl-17,18-enol-18,3''-di-O-propionyl-3,9-di-O-trimethylsilylleucomycin A5 (IV).
Compound (IV) by treatment with K2CO3 in aqueous methanol is converted to 2'-O-acetyl-3''-O-propionylleucomycin A5 (V). Finally, this compound is hydrolyzed partially with acetic acid.