Molecular simplification, retrosynthetic

Retrosynthetic analysis can often be enhanced by strategies built around tactical combinations of PG-keyed transforms which together produce molecular simplification in a coordinated (but subtle) way. The concept of tactical combinations of transforms and a few examples of such combinations have been described in Section 2.10. The use of FG-keyed tactical combinations may be illustrated by a selection of specific applications. 

Compound 16, the projected precursor of 15, could conceivably be assembled from bishomoallylic alcohol 17 via a pathway that features the oxidative functionalization of the A20,21 double bond with participation by the C-17 secondary hydroxyl. Compound 17 is an attractive retrosynthetic precursor for compound 16 because the A20-21 double bond, which could permit the introduction of the adjacent C-20 and C-21 stereocenters in 16, provides a convenient opportunity for significant molecular simplification. Thus, retrosynthetic cleavage of the A20 21 double bond in 17 furnishes compounds 18 and 19 as potential building blocks. The convergent union of the latter two compounds through a Wittig reaction would be expected to afford 17 stereoselectively. 

Retrosynthetic cleavage of the A13,14 double bond in 6 significantly simplifies the side-chain appendage attached to C-l2 and affords aldehyde 7 and ketophosphonate 8 as potential precursors. In the synthetic direction, a Homer-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction10 would appear to provide a very simple means of joining intermediates 7 and 8 with concomitant formation of the requisite trans C13-C14 olefin. Retrosynthetic simplification of aldehyde 7 provides intermediate 9, a molecular assembly commonly known as the Corey lactone. 

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