C4‘-Spiroalkylated Nucleosides Having Sulfur Incorporated at the Apex Position

Methodology based on the concept of thionium ion-initiated pinacolic ring expansion has been developed for accessing C4'-spirocyclic thionucleosides. The readily available racemic ketones 6 and 37 are conveniently resolved via their acetals with (R)-mandelic acid. Subsequent reactions beginning with utilization of the Pummerer rearrangement lend themselves to functionalization of the spirocyclic core and ultimately incorporation of the nucleosidic bases. Limitations to this strategy are pointed out. Acquisition of the alpha- and beta-isomers at C4' is equally facile. Absolute configurational assignments have been made possible by X-ray crystallography.

1-Oxaspiro[4.4]nonan-6-ones. Synthetic access via oxonium ion technology, optical resolution, and conversion into enantiopure spirocyclic alpha,beta-butenolides

A general approach to the synthesis of enantiomerically pure spirocyclic alpha,beta-butenolides is presented where the fundamental framework is rapidly elaborated by acid- or bromonium ion-induced rearrangement of the carbinol derived by addition of 2-lithio-4,5-dihydrofuran to cyclobutanone. Subsequent resolution of the resulting ketones by either sulfoximine or mandelate acetal technology has been applied effectively. The availability of these building blocks makes possible in turn the acquisition of the enantiomers of dihydrofurans typified by 17, 35, and 38 and lactones such as 25 and 31, as well as the targeted title compounds. Complementary reductions of the early intermediates provide the added advantage that the alpha- and beta-stereoisomeric carbinol series can be obtained on demand. These capabilities have been coordinated to allow the crafting of any member of the series in relatively few steps.