(+)-discodermolide has a linear polypropionate backbone, punctuated by Z-olefinic linkages at C(8,9) and C(13,14), a terminal Z-diene substituent at C(21–24), 13 stereogenic centers (including four secondary hydroxyls and seven methyl substituents), a carbamate, and a fully substituted D-lactone. The relative stereochemistry was determined by X-ray crystallography. The absolute stereochemistry of (+)-discodermolide was reported by Schreiber and his co-workers in 1993. Discodermolide adopts a U-shaped conformation, where the internal (Z)-alkenes act as conformational locks by minimizing allylic strain and syn-pentane interactions along the backbone. The D-lactone is held in a boat-like conformation.