N-Methoxy-N-acylnitrenium Ions:  Application to the Formal Synthesis of (±)-Desmethylamino FR901483

[reaction: see text] The formal synthesis of (+/-)-desmethylamino FR901483 (2) is described. Construction of the unique azatricyclic skeleton of 2 was accomplished by a sequence which involved (i) preparation of dienone 7 by an N-methoxy-N-acylnitrenium ion-induced spirocyclization, (ii) formation of 2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane 5 by the 6-(pi-exo)-exo-trig radical cyclization of 1,7-enyne 6, and (iii) installation of the C-5 p-methoxybenzyl side chain by Lewis acid-mediated alkylation of silyl enol ether 18.