Synthesis of key precursors of aspirochlorine (1) and related compounds has been achieved in 5 steps from 1,4-diacetyl-2,5-piperazinedione (2), MCPBA mediated oxidative cyclization of 2-acetyl-3-salicylidene-2,5-piperazinedione (4) yielded a spiro 3 H-benzofuranol derivative (6) stereoselectively. Bromination of 6 by a 2-fluoropyridinium salt and sodium bromide, followed by NBS treatment yielded dibromide mixtures (8). Conversion of produced dibromides (8) to dithioacetates (9) by potassium thioacetate afforded all of four possible diastereomers. The ratio of the diastereomers was found to be solvent dependent.
Synthesis of key precursors of aspirochlorine (1) and related compounds has been achieved in 5 steps from 1,4-diacetyl-2,5-piperazinedione (2), MCPBA mediated oxidative cyclization of 2-acetyl-3-salicylidene-2,5-piperazinedione (4) yielded a spiro 3 H-benzofuranol derivative (6) stereoselectively. Bromination of 6 by a 2-fluoropyridinium salt and sodium bromide, followed by NBS treatment yielded dibromide mixtures (8). Conversion of produced dibromides (8) to dithioacetates (9) by potassium thioacetate afforded all of four possible diastereomers. The ratio of the diastereomers was found to be solvent dependent.