2,2-Dimethylsuccinic acid derivatives in isoprenoid synthesis: a 2,2-dimethylvinyl anion equivalent in the synthesis of ar-atlantone, ar-turmerone, and prenylated aromatic compounds

Abstract

The anion of methyl 2,2-dimethylsuccinate was alkylated with benzylic bromides to give the corresponding 3-substituted-2,2-dimethylsuccinates. Hydrolysis to the dicarboxylic acids, followed by bisdecarboxylation with lead tetraacetate, afforded 1-aryl-3-methyl-2-butenes, which are model prenylated aromatic compounds. Acylation of methyl 2,2-dimethylsuccinate with E-3-(4′-methylphenyl) crotonyl chloride gave the substituted succinate 9. Hydrolysis of the ester groups and acid-catalyzed decarboxylation of the resulting β-ketoacid produced the keto acid 10, which was decarboxylated by the Kochi method, furnishing ar-atlantone. Hydrogenation of 10 yielded 12, which on similar decarboxylation afforded ar-turmerone.