Synthesis of the C(7)-C(20) Fragment of Spirotoamides A, B and C

This work describes the preparation of the C(7)-C(20) fragment of spirotoamides A to C in a very elegant fashion, achievement very high levels of stereocontrol. The synthesis has been accomplished by a sequence involving 14 steps (0.36% overall yield, average of 81% for each step) in high diastereo and enantioselectivity, employing, as determining steps, asymmetric Mukaiyama and boron-mediated 1,5-anti promoted aldol reactions between α-methyl-β-hydroxyketones and aldehydes.