The highly selective synthesis of phthalate templated bridged isoxazoline macrocyclic lactones is demonstrated using readily accessible carbohydrate precursors via intramolecular nitrile oxide–alkene cycloaddition. The structures of the macrocycles were established by 2D NMR as well as X-ray diffraction study. The orientation of the bridged isoxazoline ring is dependent on the distance between the 1,3-dipole and dipolarophile. The macrocycles are amenable to further transformations to higher amino sugars by sequential removal of the phthalate template and reductive cleavage of the isoxazoline moiety.