Lithium diisopropylamide dianion formation using

Acylation of the dianion of ethyl acetoacetate by an ester is a useful addition to this area of pyranone synthesis. In this reaction and in the formation of the trianions of 2,4,6-triketones the use of lithium diisopropylamide as the base is valuable (76JA7733). The triketo acid from the trianion cyclizes in mineral acids to the pyran-4-one, but in acetic anhydride the pyran-2-one is formed (Scheme 101) (71JA2506). 

Organometallic addition to the /V-methoxy-A -methylamide (15) also affords an exceptionally stable tetrahedral intermediate (16) and carbonyl-protecting group, first used in the synthesis of X-206. Deprotonation of the hydrazone in intermediate (16) was subsequently carried out with lithium diisopropylamide. The resulting dianion initiated a novel attack upon epoxide (17) and in the ensuing transformation was followed by tetrahydrofuran ring formation as depicted, in 71% yield, all in one pot (Scheme 4). 

---