Synthesis of Tetramic Acid Derivatives via a Tandem Umpolung Alkylation/Reduction/Cyclization Reaction of γ-Hydrazono ß-Ketoester.

An efficient method for the one-pot synthesis of tetramic acid derivatives was developed utilizing tandem umpolung N-alkylation/reduction/cyclization of γ-hydrazono ß-ketoester. By using this reaction as a key step, the total synthesis of the 3-spiro 7-hydroxamic acid tetralin which possesses an HDAC inhibitory activity was also achieved.