Synthesis of the Tetronate-Containing Core Structure of the Antibiotic Abyssomicin C

The core structure of abyssomicin C (1) containing an oxabicyclooctanone ring and a tetronate was prepared from the addition product of lithium ethyl propiolate and 4-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxycyclohexanone. Tetronate formation via addition of sodium methanolate followed by hydrolysis gave the hydroxy tetronic acid 27. The spiro compound 27 could be cyclized to the tricyclic tetronate 23 by a transannular Mitsunobu lactonization. Alterna­tively, 27 could be prepared from the cyanohydrin cis-19.