The present invention relates to methods for synthesizing macrolide compounds which are known to have antibacterial activity, and are useful in the therapy of bacterial infections in mammals. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for synthesizing the macrolide antibiotic, gamithromycin utilizing a novel configuration of catalysts, chemical structures, and/or methods. An embodiment of the present invention may include allowing multiple chemical reactions to proceed without the isolation of chemical intermediates. Thus, multiple reactions may occur in one reaction vessel allowing for a considerable decrease in the cycle-time. The present invention also provides a novel method for inhibiting degradation while isolating a structure of a pharmaceutical composition.