Lewis acid-mediated displacements of alkoxydioxolanes: synthesis of a 1,2-dioxolane natural product.

[formula: see text] Addition of electron-rich alkenes to the peroxycarbenium ions derived from Lewis acid-mediated ionization of 3-alkoxy-1,2-dioxolanes provides an efficient route for the synthesis of substituted 1,2-dioxolanes. The methodology is illustrated with a rapid synthesis of a 1,2-dioxolane natural product related to the plakinic acids.