Partial syntheses of avermectin Bla and ivermectin from avermectin B2a

4″,5-Bis-O-($\text{tert}$-butyldimethylsilyloxyacetyl)-23-O-(4-methylphenyloxythiocarbonyl)avermectin B_2a gave on pyrolysis and deprotection avermectin B_la, while reduction with tri-n-butyltin hydride followed by deprotection afforded 22,23-dihydroavermectin B_la (ivermectin).