Total Synthesis of (+)-Saponaceolide B

Coupling of three fragments results in the first total synthesis of a saponaceolide (see scheme). The first fragment, the spiroketal portion, is formed from two moieties, one derived from geraniol and the other from allyl malonate. A sulfone alkylation-desulfonylation sequence joins the spiroketal portion to the methylene-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane unit. The subsequent stereoselective Wittig reaction attaches the final piece to complete the synthesis of saponaceolide B (1), one of the most biologically active members of this family.     

Total synthesis of naturally occurring cephalosporolides E/F

A modular total synthesis of cephalosporolides E/F featuring sequential epoxide–alkyne coupling and subsequent highly regioselective gold catalyzed alkynolcycloisomerization of the resulting alkynetetrol to construct the central spiroketal core has been documented.     

A convergent scheme for the synthesis of spiroketals and the synthesis of (±)-chalcogran

The hetero-Diels-Alder condensation between furanoid and pyranoid exocyclic vinyl ethers establishes the spiroketal system and subsequent oxidative ring contraction leads to 1.6-dioxaspiroalkane carboxylic acids. The latter are useful subunits for polyether antibiotic synthesis.     

Synthesis of the C(2)-C(13) fragment (the A-B spiroketal unit) of spongistatin 1 (altohyrtin A): use of a common intermediate for the synthesis of both spongistatin spiroketals

[reaction: see text] A convergent synthesis of 14 corresponding to the A-B spiroketal core of spongistatin 1 has been accomplished via an iodo-spiroketalization reaction of glycal 9, which was synthesized in three steps from a late-stage intermediate used in our synthesis of the C-D spiroketal fragment of spongistatin 1. Elaboration of 14 to the A-B spiroketal 15 was accomplished in three steps.     

Synthesis of the C1-C13 fragment of leucascandrolide A

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of the C1-C13 fragment 3 of leucascandrolide A has been completed utilizing a stereoselective and regioselective reductive cleavage of a highly functionalized spiroketal to incorporate the cis-2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyan. The spiroketal was constructed by addition of a lithiated pyrone 5 to aldehyde 6.     

A practical and efficient synthesis of the C-16-C-28 spiroketal fragment (CD) of the spongistatins

A practical and efficient route to the CD spiroketal (C-16-C-28) of the spongistatins is reported. Two stereocenters are introduced from chiral building blocks with the remainder introduced by substrate-controlled transformations. The key beta-keto-1,3-dithiane intermediate is generated by a dithiol conjugate addition to an ynone and the 1,3-dithiane unit in the C-ring plays a key role in the spiroketalization and subsequent epimerization. The synthesis requires 24 steps, with a longest linear sequence of 19 steps in an overall yield of 14.5% (for the longest linear sequence). [reaction: see text]     

Enantioselective synthesis of the [6,6] spiroketal core of reveromycin A

[structure: see text] Reveromycin A (1) belongs to a family of microbial polyketides with unusual structural features and biological activities. The structure of 1 is composed of a [6,6] spiroketal core decorated with highly unsaturated side chains. As a prelude to the synthesis of 1, we present herein a short, efficient, and enantioselective synthesis of the C9-C21 fragment 5 (spiroketal core) of reveromycin A.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Calyculin C. 1. Synthesis of the C(1)-C(25) Fragment

We report our synthesis of the C(1)-C(25) fragment of serine/threonine phosphatase PP1 and PP2A inhibitor, calyculin C. Synthetic efforts were directed initially toward the synthesis of a spiroketal core fragment (7), which culminated in completion of the bottom half of the natural product. The synthesis of fragment 7 and subsequent elaboration relied on an allylboration strategy for introduction of chirality. The C(1)-C(8) fragment representing the potentially unstable tetraene moiety was introduced as a separate entity.     

An enantioselective formal synthesis of berkelic acid

An enantioselective formal synthesis of berkelic acid is described. The key step involves a late-stage silyl enol ether addition to a benzannulated oxonium ion with subsequent spiroketalization leading to construction of the tetracyclic core. Thermodynamically controlled equilibration under acidic conditions affords the desired spiroketal configuration as a single diastereoisomer.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (-)-spirofungin A by utilising hydrogen-bond controlled spiroketalisation

The stereoselective total synthesis of the spiroketal containing Streptomyces metabolite (?)‐spirofungin A ( 1 ) is described. A key step involved a spiroketalisation controlled by an intramolecular H‐bond which favoured the desired spiroketal 4 (13:1 ratio). The presence of the intramolecular H‐bond in 4 is possibly due to a 1,5‐alkyne–oxygen interaction. Other key steps include an efficient cross‐metathesis to form the spiroketal precursor, a tin mediated syn‐aldol reaction and a Stille cross‐coupling reaction to create the C22? C23 bond. A final Wittig extension followed by deprotection gave (?)‐spirofungin A ( 1 ).     

Synthesis of the C-1-C-28 ABCD unit of spongistatin 1

The synthesis of the C-1-C-28 ABCD fragment of spongistatin is described. Anti-selective boron-mediated aldol coupling of a CD spiroketal ketone fragment to an AB spiroketal aldehyde unit forms the desired C1-C28 advanced intermediate. Other features include the double conjugate addition of a dithiol to an ynone to generate the key beta-keto-dithiane unit required for the synthesis of the AB spiroketal fragment. [reaction: see text]     

A diastereoselective formal synthesis of berkelic acid

A formal synthesis of berkelic acid is reported. The strategy employs the combination of a chiral exocyclic enol ether and an achiral isochromanone to afford the chroman spiroketal core via a base-triggered generation and cycloaddition of an o-quinone methide intermediate. Other key steps include equilibration of the spiroketal, intramolecular benzylic oxidation, and lactone addition/hemiketal reduction; all occur with good diastereoselectivity.     

Approaches to avermectin assembly: Synthesis of the spiroketal system

A chiral synthesis of the spiroketal moiety of avermectin A2b has been accomplished in 14 steps from (3S(R), 4R(S))-3, 5-dimethyl-1-hexen-4-ol.     

Synthesis of the C1-C23 fragment of Spirastrellolide A

Synthesis of the C1-C23 fragment in spirastrellolide A is described, featuring a cyclic acetal-tethered RCM for stereoselective constructions of spiroketal, and a 1,3- anti aldol involving methyl ketone enolate and Mukaiyama conditions.     

Synthesis of Cytostatic Tetradecacyclic Pyrazines and a Novel Reduction‐Oxidation Sequence for Spiroketal Opening in Sapogenins

Aiming towards spiroketal‐modified artificial cephalostatin molecules, two orthogonal approaches were investigated. First, the introduction of 17‐O‐functionality into hecogenin derivatives with a closed spiroketal moiety was accomplished by different remote‐oxidation procedures. These allowed the synthesis of tetradecacyclic artificial cephalostatin molecules with improved tumor‐inhibiting properties. Second, a novel reduction‐oxidation pathway for spiroketal opening in sapogenins was discovered, which should provide the basis for a broad access towards spiroketal‐modified building blocks for cephalostatins.     

Discovery of a phosphine-mediated cycloisomerization of alkynyl hemiketals: access to spiroketals and dihydropyrazoles via tandem reactions

Reported here are details on the discovery of a phosphine-catalyzed isomerization of hemiketals and subsequent reactions of the cyclic keto enol ether products. The new cycloisomerization complements a previously reported amine-catalyzed process that gave oxepinones from the same hemiketal starting materials. In the absence of functionality (R(2)) on the cyclic keto enol ether, a rapid and facile dimerization occurs, giving spiroketal products. When the enone is substituted (i.e., R(2) = Ph), the cyclic keto enol ether is sufficiently stable so that it can be isolated; it can then be further reacted in the same pot to provide the corresponding dihydropyrazoles. Both the spiroketal and dihydropyrazole products arise by a tandem reaction that begins with the novel cycloisomerization. The method allows for the rapid introduction of complexity in the products from relatively simple starting materials. It should find application in the synthesis of natural product-like molecules.     

Studies directed toward the total synthesis of the milbemycins: Synthesis of the C11 to C31 fragment of milbemycin D

A highly stereocontrolled synthesis of the C11 to C31 fragment of the potent antimicrobial agent milbemycin D has been completed. This approach utilizes a unique hydrolysis-cyclization to construct the spiroketal portion of the molecule.     

A practical approach to the synthesis of insect antifeedant tonghaosu analogs

Tonghaosu and its analogs are a class of structurally interesting spiroketal enol‐ether compounds. A practical route to furandiol, a key intermediate for their syntheses, was developed. Using Friedel‐Crafts benzoylation of 3‐(2‐fury I) propyl acetate, a diarylketone was obtained in high yield, which was further transformed into corresponding furandiol by reduction with NaBH₄ in basic medium with simultaneous ester hydrolysis. The furandiol was then cyclized into the desired spiroketal enol‐ether compound in the presence of CuSO₄ 5H₂O.     

Synthesis of the C16-C35 fragment of integramycin using olefin hydroesterification as a linchpin reaction

[reaction: see text] The spiroketal unit of the HIV-integrase inhibitor integramycin has been prepared in an efficient and convergent manner. Key steps in this sequence include the use of ruthenium-mediated hydroesterification reactions of homoallylic alcohols and silyl ethers, and a C,O-dianionic addition into a lactone provides the spiroketal while minimizing protecting group manipulations.     

Combinatorial synthesis of natural product-like molecules using a first-generation spiroketal scaffold

Recently, significant attention has been focused on the synthesis small-molecule libraries based on natural product or natural product-like structures. In this paper, we report our initial studies on the use of the 1,7-dioxaspiro[5,5]undecane (spiroketal) moiety as a rigid-core template for elaboration using parallel synthesis techniques. The synthesis of a spiroketal scaffold that is reminiscent of the spiroketal subunits found in the spiroketal macrolide antibiotics will be described. Elaboration of three independently addressable functional groups on the scaffold using solution-phase parallel synthesis techniques led to the preparation of a small library of natural product-like compounds. These studies pave the way for evaluation of highly functionalized spiroketals in phenotypic assays and as prospective antagonists of protein-protein interactions.