Studies Directed Toward the Synthesis of Taxanes: Construction of the Tricyclo[5.3.1.01,7]undecane System

Abstract

The intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of an epoxide by the anion of a nitrile was used to construct the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane system of 9, derived from 8, and of 14, derived from 13. The intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxide 4, obtained from 14, led to isoxazoline 3. However, it was not possible to convert 3 into the corresponding β-hydroxy ketone. Rearrangements of 3 were observed in the presence of dehydrating reagents leading to compounds 19–21, which are structurally related to 11(15→1)abeotaxanes.