α-Hydroxy-γ-pyrone-based oxidopyrylium cycloaddition reactions are useful methods for accessing a highly diverse range of oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane products. Intermolecular variants of the reaction require the formation of a methyl triflate-based pre-ylide salt that upon treatment with base in the presence of alkenes or alkynes leads to α-methoxyenone-containing bicyclic products. Herein, we describe our discovery that the use of ethanol-stabilized chloroform as solvent leads to the generation of α-ethoxyenone-containing bicyclic byproducts. This three-component process was further optimized by gently heating a mixture of a purified version of the oxidopyrylium dimer in the presence of an alcohol prior to addition of a dipolarophile. Using this convenient procedure, several new oxidopyrylium cycloaddition products can be generated in moderate yields. We also highlight the method in a tandem ring-opening/debenzylation method for the generation of α-hydroxytropolones.

α-Hydroxytropolones are a subclass of the troponoid family of natural products that are of high interest due to their broad biological activity and potential as treatment options for several diseases. Despite this promise, there have been scarce synthetic chemistry-driven optimization studies on the molecules. The following review highlights key developments in the biological studies conducted on α-hydroxytropolones to date, including the few synthetic chemistry-driven optimization studies. In addition, we provide an overview of the methods currently available to access these molecules. This review is intended to serve as a resource for those interested in biological activity of α-hydroxytropolones, and inspire the development of new synthetic methods and strategies that could aid in this pursuit.

Aminoglycoside-2″-O-nucleotidyltransferase ANT(2″)-Ia is an aminoglycoside resistance enzyme prevalent among Gram-negative bacteria, and is one of the most common determinants of enzyme-dependant aminoglycoside-resistance. The following report outlines the use of our recently described oxidopyrylium cycloaddition/ring-opening strategy in the synthesis and profiling of a library of synthetic α-hydroxytropolones against ANT(2″)-Ia. In addition, we show that two of these synthetic constructs are capable of rescuing gentamicin activity against ANT-(2″)-Ia-expressing bacteria.

7,9-Diaryl-1,6,8-trioxaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-ones are a recently described group of spirocyclic butenolides that can be generated rapidly and as a single diastereomer through a cascade process between γ-hydroxybutenolides and aromatic aldehydes. The following outlines our findings that these spirocycles are potently cytotoxic and have a dramatic structure–function profile that provides excellent insight into the structural features required for this potency.

Methoxytropolones are useful scaffolds for therapeutic development because of their known biological activity and established value in the synthesis of α-hydroxytropolones. Upon treatment with triflic acid, a series of 3-methoxy-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octa-3,6-dien-2-ones rearrange rapidly and cleanly to form methoxytropolones. Interestingly, bicycles that are derived from dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (R2 = R3 = CO2Me) instead form furans as the major product.

α-Hydroxytropolones are a class of molecules with therapeutic potential against several human diseases. However, structure–activity relationship studies on these molecules have been limited due to a scarcity of efficient synthetic methods to access them. It is demonstrated herein that α-hydroxytropolones can be generated through a BCl3-mediated ring-opening/aromatization/demethylation process on 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octenes. Used in conjunction with an improved method based on established oxidopyrylium dipolar cycloadditions, several polysubstituted α-hydroxytropolones can be accessed in three steps from readily available α-hydroxy-γ-pyrones.

In the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf), γ-methyl-γ-hydroxybutenolide reacts with aromatic aldehydes to generate a new class of stereochemically rich spirocyclic ketal-lactones in good yields and with excellent stereoselectivities. We believe that this process takes place through the in situ generation of protoanemonin followed by a Prins reaction. Herein, we describe this discovery, along with substrate scope and preliminary mechanistic studies.