Synthetic studies on taxanes: construction of the tricyclic skeleton on the basis of a [6+2] cycloaddition reaction

The stereoselective synthesis of a tricyclic model compound of taxane diterpenes was achieved. The eight-membered B ring was constructed on the basis of a [6+2] cycloaddition reaction of a dicobalt acetylene complex with an enol silyl ether of cyclohexanone. After conversion of the cobalt complex moiety to an epoxide and introduction of a 3-cyanopropyl group, the A ring was formed via an intramolecular cyclization reaction under basic conditions.