Conversion of the enantiomers of spiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diol into both epimeric carbaspironucleosides having natural C1' absolute configuration.

[reaction: see text] The enantiomers of spiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diol have been transformed by different reaction pathways into the two possible carbaspironucleoside epimers with natural C1' absolute stereochemistry.

Reactions of alpha,alpha'-dihydroxy ketones with phosgene. Structural requirements for spiro epoxy carbonate formation.

[reaction: see text] Apha,alpha'-dihydroxy ketones having two OH groups that can come into close proximity react with phosgene in the presence of DMAP to produce 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diones. When covalent bonding in this manner is prohibited, alternate reaction pathways can in principle be adopted. Of these, the generation of spiro epoxy carbonates is shown to be feasible in three examples. In other cases, the alpha-ketol rearrangement precedes diacylation.

Synthesis of stereoisomeric medium-ring alpha,alpha'-dihydroxy cycloalkanones.

The stereochemical course of the epoxidation of the silyl enol ethers of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxycycloheptanone and -cyclooctanone has been investigated and shown to proceed exclusively anti to the existing alpha-substituent. 2-(Benzyloxy)cyclooctanone behaves similarly, and the presence of a transannular double bond does not alter the outcome. Alpha-ketol rearrangements are seen to operate during ensuing fluoride ion-induced removal of the silyl protecting groups in select examples. The preferred means for generating the cis isomers of the alpha,alpha'-dihydroxy cycloalkanones involves methylenation of the monoprotected trans-dihydroxy ketones with the Nysted reagent, followed by oxidation and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride. Ozonolysis and fluoride ion-induced desilylation complete the route.