Studies Directed toward Asymmetric Synthesis of Cardioactive Steroids via Anionic Polycyclization

Abstract

[reaction: see text] The use of anionic polycyclization (AP) in constructing the steroidal backbone of cardenolides was investigated. The reaction of 2-carbomethoxy-2-cyclohexenone I with the enolate of Nazarov reagent II gave, after decarboxylation and aldol condensation, steroid III with control of stereochemistry.