Synthetic studies directed toward the phorboxazoles: preparation of the C3-C15 bisoxane segment and two stereoisomers

A synthetic approach to the C3-C15 segment of the cytotoxic marine metabolite phorboxazoles is described. This segment consists of a methylene linked bisoxane structure. The first pyran ring was constructed by a Lewis acid catalyzed diene-aldehyde cyclo-condensation. The beta-C-glucoside substitution pattern of this ring was established by a stereoselective allylation. Ozonolysis of vinyl group and enantioselective allylation of the racemic aldehyde generated two separable homoallylic alcohols (-)-22 and (+)-23. The Mosher's esters of each alcohol were determined to be >90% de. Reaction of (-)-22 with acryloyl chloride, followed by ring closing metathesis gave the dihydro-2-pyrone target (-)-5. Mitsunobu inversion of (+)-23 with p-nitrobenzoic acid, hydrolysis, and esterification with acryloyl chloride and ring closing metathesis gave pseudoenantiomeric segment (+)-6. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.