Sulfonylation of the 4''-alpha(or beta)-hydroxyl of 5-OTBDMS-avermecti
n B1a with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride yielded triflates which
were displaced stereospecifically with diverse sulfur nucleophiles. Th
is sulfonylation/substitution protocol also was performed on the 4'-(a
lpha(or beta)-hydroxyl of the corresponding avermectin monosaccharide.
The sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones thus obtained exhibited potent,
broad spectrum anthelmintic and acaricidal activity.