A synthetic study on gymnastatins F and Q: the tandem Michael and aldol reaction approach

Gymnastatins F (1) and Q (2) were successfully synthesized using the tandem Michael and aldol reaction of the corresponding spirodienones with hemiacetal functions. Inspection of the optical purities of the substrates suggested that undesired racemization does not proceed during the tandem reaction. Results of theoretical calculations agreed with the ratio of the reaction outcome.