Novel synthesis of highly functionalized 14-beta-hydroxysteroids related to batrachotoxin and ouabain.

The use of anionic polycyclization was investigated in an effort to develop a versatile and convergent synthesis of advanced tetracyclic intermediates of batrachotoxin and ouabain analogues. Two new 5-(trialkylsilyl)-2-cyclohexenones as A ring precursors and a new Nazarov intermediate (D ring precursor) were prepared for this purpose. The reaction of the unsaturated beta-keto aldehyde A ring precursor with the enolate of the Nazarov intermediate afforded, after subsequent transformations, a 14-beta-hydroxysteroid with complete control of stereochemistry.