Biomimetic type approach to the tricyclic core of xyloketals. Application to a short, stereocontrolled synthesis of alboatrin and first synthesis of xyloketal G

A convenient approach to the linear tetrahydrofurano benzopyran ring system of xyloketals is described. An orthoester Claisen rearrangement of a chromenol and an intra-molecular cationic cyclization are the key steps in the synthesis. A short, stereocontrolled and high yield synthesis of the phytotoxic metabolite alboatrin was achieved employing this strategy. A unique case of Lewis acid catalyzed isomerization of epi-alboatrin to alboatrin was observed. Subsequently this methodology was extended for the first total synthesis of xyloketal G, where a one pot reaction of three steps viz., acetylation, isomerization and demethylation occurred during acetylation of a mixture of nor-o-methyl xyloketal G and nor-o-methyl epi xyloketal G in presence of AlCl₃ to furnish xyloketal G in very good overall yield.