Stereocontrolled spirocyclization of exo-glucal derivatives for stereodivergent synthesis of spiro[5.5]ketals

This Letter describes a stereoselective synthetic approach to spiro[5.5]ketals from the exo-glucals, constructed from 1-(4-hydroxyalkylidene)-1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol, by spirocyclization based on intramolecular α- and β-selective glycosylation. Stereodivergent synthesis of both α- and β-glucoside of spiro[5.5]ketals was attained by combination of chiral d-glucopyranose environment and C-4′ chiral center on the side chain.