Total synthesis of pteridic acids A and B

A convergent synthesis of pteridic acids A and B, epimeric spiroacetal polyketides with potent plant growth promoter properties, is described. The use of boron aldol methodology efficiently achieved the stereocontrolled construction of advanced C1-C11 and C12-C16 subunits, which were coupled to generate a linear (Z)-enone precursor that underwent spiroacetalization with HF·pyridine, providing pteridic acids A and B after saponification.     

Synthesis of a spiroacetal moiety of antitumor antibiotic ossamycin by anodic oxidation

Synthesis of the spiroacetal moiety (C20-C33) of the antitumor antibiotic ossamycin, is reported. Anodic oxidation of the dithioacetal effected simultaneous removal of the protecting group and acetalization to afford the corresponding 6,6-spiroacetal structure in excellent yield.     

Synthesis of spiroacetals using functionalised titanium carbenoids

Alkylidenation of lactones with functionalised titanium carbenoid reagents (Schrock carbenes) followed by acid-induced cyclisation of the resulting enol ethers constitutes a new method for the preparation of [4.4], [4.5] and [5.5] spiroacetals (1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonanes, 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decanes and 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecanes, respectively, sometimes termed 5,5-, 5,6- and 6,6-spiroketals). The titanium carbenoids are easily generated from readily available thioacetals.     

Stereoselective bidirectional synthesis of spiroacetals via Rh(II)-catalysed double C–H insertion

The stereoselective synthesis of 5,5-spiroacetals by Rh(II)-catalysed double C–H insertion of methylene acetals bearing two diazo ester substituents is described. The diastereoselectivity of this bidirectional approach can be tuned through appropriate choice of catalyst, and chiral catalysts lead to products with up to 89% ee. The diastereoselectivity of the first cyclisation suggests that the second cyclisation proceeds via a non-concerted pathway.     

Arylation of [6,6]-spiroacetal enol ethers: reactivity and rearrangement

Attempts to selectively arylate [6,6]-spiroacetal enol ethers at the 2-position delivered unexpected results. Palladium-mediated arylation conditions afforded the double-Heck product, whereas reaction with benzenesulfinic acid resulted in a facile rearrangement into the corresponding 5-phenylsulfonyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrochromans, providing access to 5-aryl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrochroman and hexahydrochroman derivatives.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of the C79-C96 fragment of symbiodinolide

The stereoselective synthesis of the C79-C96 fragment of symbiodinolide is described in which the spiroacetalization and Kotsuki coupling are the key steps.