A preliminary evaluation of a metathesis approach to bryostatins

Abstract Preliminary investigations into the synthesis of bryostatins using ring-closing metathesis to form the C(16)–C(17) double bond led to a synthesis of the bryostatin analogue 51 ; precursors 26 and 52 , which possess the geminal dimethyl group at C-18, did not undergo the required ring-closing metathesis.