Use of Ketene Dithioacetal as a Latent Carboxylic Acid in the Macrolactonization Applicable to the Synthesis of Dilactonic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

Abstract

Acid 5a (or 5b ) bearing the ketene dithioacetal moiety functioned as an equivalent of a dicarboxylic acid. Use of the ketene dithioacetal in the formation of 11-membered dilactones is demonstrated. Compound 5a (or 5b ) was converted to an acid imidazolide which reacted regioselectively with retronecine at the allylic position. Mild acidic hydrolysis of the ketene dithioacetal moiety led to a thioester, which underwent macrocyclization with the secondary hydroxyl group mediated by silver(I) trifluoroacetate to give derivatives of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids.