An efficient synthetic approach towards fully functionalized tetronic acids: the use of 1,3-dioxolane-2,4-diones as novel protected-activated synthons of α-hydroxy acids

Abstract A new strategy for the synthesis of tetronic acids with control over the regioselective introduction of substituents at the C-5 position has been developed. The construction of the densely functionalized quaternary carbon center within these molecules is of great importance. The key element for the proposed protocol was the utilization of O -carboxyanhydrides (OCA's) of optically active α-hydroxy acids, as promising bidentate protective/activating precursors. The structure of the new compounds was investigated by using NMR spectral data and X-ray structural analyses.