Synthesis of the EF-ring segment of ciguatoxin CTX1B based on novel regioselective reduction of unsaturated cyanohydrins and ring-closing olefin metathesis

Aiming at a convergent total synthesis of ciguatoxin CTX1B, its EF-ring segment has been synthesized. During the synthesis, a novel method for the construction of branched ethers, based on regioselective reduction of γ-alkoxy β,γ-unsaturated α-silyloxy nitriles with borontrifluoride etherate and trialkyl silane or tributyltin hydride, has been developed. Combination use of the method and ring-closing olefin metathesis successfully provided medium-sized cyclic ethers. Efficient site-selective reduction of vinyl epoxides into homoallyl alcohols has also been developed.