Mechanistic studies on the O-directed free-radical hydrostannation of disubstituted acetylenes with Ph3SnH and Et3B and on the iodination of allylically oxygenated alpha-triphenylstannylalkenes.

[reaction: see text] The free-radical hydrostannation of 1 with Ph(3)SnH and catalytic Et(3)B in PhMe has been mechanistically probed. At high Ph(3)SnH concentrations, the O-directed hydrostannation pathway dominates, and 2 is formed with good selectivity (ca. 11.

On the stereospecific conversion of proximally-oxygenated trisubstituted vinyltriphenylstannanes into stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes.

[reaction: see text] Allylically oxygenated vinyl alpha-triphenylstannanes such as 22 can be readily converted into vinyl iodides and thereafter stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes with retention of configuration.

O-Directed free-radical hydrostannations of propargyl ethers, acetals, and alcohols with Ph3SnH and Et3B.

[reaction: see text] The O-directed hydrostannation of various propargyloxy substrates is reported with Ph(3)SnH/Et(3)B.

A biosynthetic proposal for ring formation in the antitumor agent halichomycin. Asymmetric synthesis of the AB-carbon backbone of halichomycin.

[reaction: see text] A biosynthetic proposal for ring formation in the antitumor agent halichomycin is presented in which macrocyclization of the putative prehalichomycin intermediate 1 is the first step. Compound 2 then undergoes dehydration to the alpha-keto N-acylimine 3 followed by tandem nucleophilic addition of the C(16)-hydroxyl to form the hemimacrolactam. A stereospecific Michael ring closure and enol protonation complete C-ring assembly.