An approach to the C(10)–C(16) fragment of the bryostatins: stereoselective exocyclic double-bond formation by vinyl radical cyclization

On treatment with tributyltin hydride, the vinyl bromide 11 and the vinyl iodide 26 cyclize to give mixtures of the (E)- and (Z)-4-(alkoxycarbonylmethylene)tetrahydropyrans 12/13 and 27/28 in which the (E)-isomers 12 and 27 are the major components accounting for 80% of the products. Addition of triphenyltin hydride to the alkyne 34 similarly initiates cyclization giving a mixture of products 35–37, the composition of the mixture depending upon the concentration of the tin hydride. These results are consistent with faster cyclization of the (Z)-vinyl radical with kinetic formation of five-membered ring containing products which are either trapped by hydrogen transfer from the tin hydride or which rearrange to form a 4-methylenetetrahydropyran. This chemistry was applied to prepare the cis-2,6-disubstituted 4-(methoxycarbonylmethylene)tetrahydropyran 50 which may be useful for the introduction of the C(10)–C(16) fragment into the bryostatins. Cyclization of the p-methoxybenzyl protected vinyl iodide 58 is less stereoselective, perhaps because of intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the p-methoxybenzyl group.