Biomimetic synthetic studies on lactonamycin: an expedient synthesis of dihydroxy-isoindolinone-carboxylates

The synthesis of dihydroxy-isoindolinone-carboxylates from a dioxinone keto-ester and N-protected sarcosine without the use of phenolic protection is described. Base-induced aromatization of the dioxinone diketo-ester followed by lactamization furnished the desired dihydroxy-isoindolinone moiety, which could be used as an EF-ring precursor toward the synthesis of lactonamycin.