Novel branched ether formation via conjugate reduction of an unsaturated cyanohydrin derivative and its synthetic application to the EF-ring segment of ciguatoxin
developed. The method was based on Lewis-acid-promoted γ-position selective reduction of a γ-alkoxy β,γ-unsaturated α-silyloxy nitrile, prepared through a process including intermolecular hetero-Michael reaction of a 2-butynoate ester derivative with an alcohol. The method was efficiently applied to the synthesis of fused medium-ring ethers involving the EF-ring segment (2) of ciguatoxin (1).
Synthesis of the EF-ring segment of ciguatoxin CTX1B based on novel regioselective reduction of unsaturated cyanohydrins and ring-closing olefin metathesis
convergent total synthesis of ciguatoxin CTX1B, its EF-ring segment has been synthesized. During the synthesis, a novel method for the construction of branched ethers, based on regioselective reduction of γ-alkoxy β,γ-unsaturated α-silyloxy nitriles with borontrifluoride etherate and trialkyl silane or tributyltin hydride, has been developed. Combination use of the method and ring-closing olefin metathesis