Hydroxymethylene compounds methyl groups

Since the jS-ketoaldhydes that result from acidification exist with the formyl group extensively enolized, the compounds are often referred to as hydroxymethylene derivatives. The formation of the product is governed by thermodynamic control therefore, the dominant product expected from unsymmetrical ketones can be predicted on the basis of considerations of relative stability. Once formed, hydroxymethylene compounds have several synthetic uses. A hydroxymethylene group can be converted to methyl via reaction with a mercaptan followed by reduction. ... 

Another technique is to block one of the a-positions by introduction of a removable substituent which prevents formation of the corresponding enolate. Selective alkylation can be performed after acylation with ethyl formate and transformation of the resulting formyl (or hydroxymethylene) substituent into a group that is stable to base, such as an enamine, an enol ether or an enol thioether. An example of this procedixre is shown in Scheme 1.16, in the preparation of 9-methyl-1-decalone from rra 5-1-decalone. Direct alkylation of this compound gives mainly the 2-alkyl derivative, whereas blocking the 2-position allows the formation of the required 9-alkyl-1-decalone (as a mixture of cis and trans isomers). 

Having precursor 407 in hand. Brooks et al. were able to synthesize anguidine (376) in a further 17 steps. Thus, precursor 407 was converted into enamine 409, which was hydrolyzed to hydroxymethylene derivative 410. Michael reaction with butanone afforded the exo product 411. Followed by an intramolecular Michael aldol condensation, enone 412 was obtained, which was methylated to the allyl alcohol 413 using methyl iodide. Subsequent reduction with Ufliium aluminum hydride led to tetraol 414. This was converted to the triacetate and selectively deprotected to diol 415. Acid-catalyzed cycUzation and protection of the free OH group afforded the trichothecene skeleton 416. Afterwards, the acetal 416 was deprotected and the ketone was reacted in a Wittig reaction to the olefin, which was treated with TBAF to afford compound 417. Epoxidation with /n-CPBA, followed by acetylatiOTi and final mono-deprotection, afforded the trichothecene, anguidine (376) (Scheme 8.4). 

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