Synthesis of antimalarial yingzhaosu A analogues by the peroxidation of dienes with Co(II)/O2/Et3SiH.

Co(II)-catalyzed peroxidation of dienes including (S)-limonene in the presence of molecular oxygen and triethylsilane provided in each case the corresponding 2,3-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives via the intramolecular cyclization of the unsaturated peroxy radical intermediates. The product composition was remarkably influenced by the structure of the dienes, the nature of the solvents, and the concentration of the substrates and the catalyst. Some of the yingzhaosu A analogues obtained in this study showed notable antimalarial activities in vitro.