Synthesis of racemic brevioxime and related model compounds

The synthesis, in racemic form, of the insect juvenile hormone inhibitor br evioxime (1) is described, as well as exploratory studies that led to the r elated model compounds 14 and 15a. The route to 1 involves Ag+-mediated cou pling of the amine derived from 20 with the beta-keto thioester 32. Acid tr eatment of the coupled product 33 led by acetal hydrolysis, cyclization, an d desilylation to 34a,b, from which 1 was reached by oxidation and conversi on into the oxime. In the synthesis of the amino component 20, a known, but unusual, reduction was used for converting a nitrile into an amine hydroch loride.