Spirolactone Syntheses Through a Rhodium-Catalyzed Intramolecular C—H Insertion Reaction: Model Studies Towards the Synthesis of Syringolides.

Abstract Model studies towards the total synthesis of syringolides using a rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular C–H insertion reaction as the key step are described. A highly stereospecific synthesis of spirolactones is achieved employing this methodology.