Convergent total synthesis of bryostatin 8 has been accomplished by an organosilane-based strategy. The C ring is constructed stereoselectively through a geminal bis(silane)-based [1,5]-Brook rearrangement, and the B ring through geminal bis(silane)-based Prins cyclization, thus efficiently joining the northern and southern parts of the molecule.

A sequential one-pot process for chemoselectively reducing sterically demanding N,N-diisopropylamides to aldehydes has been developed. In this reaction, amides are activated with EtOTf to form imidates, which are reduced with LiAlH(OR) [R = t-Bu, Et] to give aldehydes by hydrolysis of the resulting hemiaminals. The non-nucleophilic base 2,6-DTBMP remarkably improves reaction efficiency. The combination of EtOTf/2,6-DTBMP and LiAlH(O-t-Bu) was found to be optimal for reducing alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and 2-monosubstituted aryl N,N-diisopropylamides. In contrast, EtOTf and LiAlH(OEt) in the absence of base were found to be optimal for reducing extremely sterically demanding 2,6-disubstituted N,N-diisopropylbenzamides. The reaction tolerates various reducible functional groups, including aldehyde and ketone. H NMR studies confirmed the formation of imidates stable in water. The synthetic usefulness of this methodology was demonstrated with N,N-diisopropylamide-directed ortho-metalation and C-H bond activation.

An interesting approach to transform the B ring of bryostatins to the C ring has been developed. The key tactics of the approach feature an intramolecular Csp-H bond amination to form spirocyclic hemiaminal, which undergoes ring opening to afford the C ring found in bryostatin 17. The subsequent epoxidation/oxidation sequence results in Z to E isomerization of the exo-cyclic enoate, delivering the common precursor, which could be transformed into the C ring found in bryostatins 1, 2, 4-9, 12, 14, and 15.

Convergent total synthesis of bryostatin 8h as been accomplished by an organosilane-based strategy.The Cring is constructed stereoselectively through ag eminal bis(silane)based [1,5]-Brook rearrangement, and the Bring through geminal bis(silane)-based Prins cyclization, thus efficiently joining the northern and southern parts of the molecule. Scheme 1. Structure of bryostatins 1-21.

A nickel-catalysed reductive cross-coupling between 2-bromo cycloalkenyl carboxylic acids and alkyl bromides has been developed, affording all-carbon tetrasubstituted cycloalkenes in moderate to excellent yields up to 92%. Mechanistic studies indicated...