Toward the total synthesis of vinigrol: synthesis of epi-C-8-dihydrovinigrol.

Two approaches to vinigrol starting from the advanced tricyclic core 7 have been explored using as key intermediates epoxide 12 and diol 17. The preparation of the properly functionalized epoxide 12 has been achieved in a straightforward fashion. However, all attempts to prepare tertiary alcohol 14 by reductive opening of 12 failed.

Rate acceleration of anionic oxy-cope rearrangements induced by an additional unsaturation.

[reaction: see text] In sharp contrast to their isopropyl counterparts, a variety of (Z)-isopropenyl tertiary bicyclo[2.2.2]octenols undergo facile anionic oxy-Cope rearrangements allowing the stereoselective incorporation of an isopropenyl group into polycyclic skeletons such as the tricyclic system of vinigrol, bicyclo[5.

Synthesis of the complete carbocyclic skeleton of vinigrol.

[reaction: see text] An efficient entry to the fully elaborated skeleton of vinigrol is described. The installation of the desired stereochemistry at C(12) and the construction of the eight-membered ring were achieved in one operation by a remarkably facile anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement of Z-isopropenyl isomer 24.

Synthesis of bent [4]phenylene (cyclobuta[1,2-a:3,4-b']bisbiphenylene) and structure of a bis(trimethylsilyl) derivative: the last [4]phenylene isomer.

The syntheses of the title compounds were accomplished by cobalt-catalyzed alkyne cyclotrimerizations using two strategies; the properties of the bent phenylene frame reflect the combined effects of benzocyclobutadienofusion of the component [3]phenylene substructures.