Radical carboazidation: expedient assembly of the core structure of various alkaloid families

J Org Chem. 2004 Apr 16;69(8):2755-9. doi: 10.1021/jo035843y.

Abstract

A procedure for one-pot intermolecular radical addition of 2-iodoesters to terminal alkenes followed by azidation of the radical adduct has been developed. This sequential reaction represents an alkene carboazidation process. Its efficacy is demonstrated by the two-step preparation of various lactams such as pyrrolidinones, pyrrolizidinones, and indolizidinones. An easy access to spirolactams bearing an amino-substituted quaternary carbon center is also described. These compounds are important building blocks for the synthesis of numerous alkaloids such as, for instance, FR901483.