A highly efficient iterative approach to fused ether ring systems

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)02336-3

An iterative synthesis of fused ether ring systems has been developed. This strategy couples a cyclic enol ether oxidation and carbon-carbon bond forming reaction in one flask with an acid catalyzed cyclic acetal formation and alkoxide elimination in another flask. The result is a general and highly efficient two flask synthesis of fused ethers as are present in a wide variety of bioactive natural products.