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Starting from 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one and racemic 2,2-dimethyl-8-
oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one the C1-C16 segment of the bryostatins has b
een synthesized in 30 steps and 9% overall yield (17 steps longest linear s
equence), Fragment coupling by dithiane strategy and protecting group manip
ulations provided an advanced chemodifferentiated northern half segment.