Synthesis of 10-Oxo-β-rhodomycinone Derivatives

Regiospecific total syntheses of (±)-11-deoxy-4-methoxy-10-oxo-β-rhodomycinone (21a) and (±)-11-deoxy-1-methoxy-10-oxo-β-rhodomycinone (21b) are described. 2-(2-Bromoethyl)-1,3-dioxane (6) was transformed to naphthalenone 12, which was condensed with (phenylsulfonyl)-isobenzofuranone 13 to afford 7,8-dihydro-9-ethyl-6-hydroxy-4-methoxynaphthacen-5,12-dione (15). Epoxide 16 prepared from olefinic compound 15, reacted with HF/Pyr (7:3) to give 17. Dihydroxylation of 17 with t-BuOK/P(OMe)₃/O₂, selective cis-diol protection of mixed compounds 18 with phenylboronic acid in toluene, separation of cis-boronate 19 and trans-diol 20 by column chromatography on silica gel, and cleavage of the boronate group of 19 with 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol in acetic acid completed the construction of 21.