Enantio- and Diastereoselective Stepwise Cyclization of Polyprenoids Induced by Chiral and Achiral LBAs. A New Entry to (−)-Ambrox, (+)-Podocarpa-8,11,13-triene Diterpenoids, and (−)-Tetracyclic Polyprenoid of Sedimentary Origin

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Abstract
An enantio- and diastereoselective stepwise cyclization of polyprenoids induced by Lewis acid-assisted chiral Brønsted acids (chiral LBAs) and achiral LBAs is described. In particular, the absolute stereocontrol in the initial cyclization of polyprenoids to form an A-ring induced by chiral LBAs and the importance of the nucleophilicity of the internal terminator in polyprenoids for the relative stereocontrol in subsequent cyclization are demonstrated. (−)-Ambrox was synthesized via the enantioselective cyclization of (E,E)-homofarnesyl triethylsilyl ether with tin(IV) chloride-coordinated (R)-2-(o-fluorobenzyloxy)-2‘-hydroxy-1,1‘-binaphthyl ((R)-BINOL-o-FBn) and subsequent diastereoselective cyclization with CF3CO2H·SnCl4 as key steps. Protection of (E,E)-homofarnesol by a triethylsilyl group increased the enantioselectivity of chiral LBA-induced cyclization and both the chemical yield and diastereoselectivity in the subsequent cyclization. The enantioselective cyclization of homo(polyprenyl)arenes possessing an aryl group was also induced by (R)-BINOL-o-FBn·SnCl4. Several optically active podocarpa-8,11,13-triene diterpenoids and (−)-tetracyclic polyprenoid of sedimentary origin were synthesized (75−80% ee) by the enantioselective cyclization of homo(polyprenyl)benzene derivatives induced by (R)-BINOL-o-FBn·SnCl4 and subsequent diastereoselective cyclization induced by BF3·Et2O/EtNO2 or CF3CO2H·SnCl4.