Synthesis of polycyclic cyclobutane derivatives by tandem intramolecular Michael-aldol reaction under two complementary conditions: TBDMSOTf-Et3N and TMSI-(TMS)2NH

The treatment of α,β-unsaturated esters having a ketone function at an appropriate position with either TBDMSOTf in the presence of Et 3 N or TMSI in the presence of (TMS) 2 NH provided, via a tandem intramolecular Michael-aldol reaction sequence, several different types of cyclobutane derivatives. The two reaction conditions were complementary. Tricyclo[4.2.1.03-8]nonanes 34 and 35, tricyclo[5.1.1.0 3,8 ]nonane 40, tricyclo[5.4.0.0 3,7 ]undecane 51, tetracyclo[5.4.0.0 3,7 .0 9,11 ]undecane 45, and the bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes 36, 57, and 38, which have structures either partially or completely similar to those of endiandric acids A (1a), B (1b), and C (2), trihydroxydecipiadiene (3), lintenone (4), italicene (3), and filifolone (6), were stereoselectively synthesized by the tandem reaction