Construction of the core skeleton for spiroaspertrione A by a Diels–Alder reaction of masked o-benzoquinone

Abstract

The construction of the core skeleton for spiroaspertrione A has been achieved in a concise and highly stereoselective manner. Key features of the approach comprise an L-phenylalanine-catalyzed aldol condensation to construct the decalin moiety and a critical Diels–Alder reaction of masked o-benzoquinone to establish the spiro[bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,1′-cyclohexane] framework.