Formal Synthesis of Dictyostatin and Synthesis of Two Dictyostatin Analogues

A formal convergent synthesis of dictyostatin from ( R )‐Roche ester is described. Synthetic highlights include a Ni‐catalyzed Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi coupling between an aldehyde and a Z vinyl iodide to assemble the two main fragments, a diastereoselective Myers alkylation, a stereoselective Evans aldolization, two asymmetric Duthaler crotyltitanations, and a stereoselective Pd‐catalyzed Marshall allenylindium addition to install the stereogenic centers of dictyostatin. The synthesis of (9 R )‐ epi ‐dictyostatin and a new ring‐contracted dictyostatin isomer were also achieved.