Synthesis of solandelactone F, constanolactone A and an advanced intermediate towards solandelactone E from a common synthetic intermediate.

The stereoselective synthesis of solandelactone F, constanolactone A and an advanced intermediate towards solandelactone E, from a common synthetic intermediate, is disclosed. The propargylic sulfide stereocenter is created stereoselectively via carbon-carbon bond formation in the reaction of α-chloro sulfides with alkynylzinc reagents via 1,2-asymmetric induction by a β-siloxy group. The characteristic 1,4-diol motif of the natural products is introduced by a [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of an allylic sulfoxide or by the Mislow-Evans-Braverman rearrangement of a propargylic sulfoxide followed by stereoselective reduction of the ensuing α,β-unsaturated ketone. Unlike earlier reports, the C11/C9 carbinol center is created with excellent stereocontrol and derivatives of natural products differing at C14/C12 can be readily obtained. Catalytic asymmetric protocols and substrate-controlled asymmetric induction are utilized for the efficient introduction of the stereogenic centers.