Synthesis of the spiro fused β-lactone-γ-lactam segment of oxazolomycin

An effective synthetic strategy for construction of the novel spiro-bicyclic β-lactone-γ-lactam system present in oxazolomycin has been demonstrated. The 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidine ring system was constructed via an Evans aldol reaction. The spiro-β-lactone ring was elaborated from a gem-hydroxymethyl moiety that was successfully installed by an aldol followed by a crossed Cannizzaro reaction.