Anion-catalyzed addition of gamma-silylallenyl esters to aldehydes: a new entry into [3.2.1] bicyclic natural products.

A significant improvement in the generality and reactivity of MBH-type reactions is made possible by anion catalysis and a 1,3-Brook rearrangement. In this new reaction, both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes are rapidly added to silylallenes, leading to gamma-carbinol allenoates at low temperatures. The utility of these reaction products is demonstrated by a fast-tracked synthesis of a [3.2.1] bisoxa bicycle that makes up the framework of many biologically active natural products, including vitisinol D, an antithrombotic agent.