Application of the Helquist annulation in Lycopodium alkaloid synthesis: unified total syntheses of (-)-8-deoxyserratinine, (+)-fawcettimine, and (+)-lycoflexine

J Org Chem. 2011 May 20;76(10):3684-90. doi: 10.1021/jo1023188. Epub 2011 Apr 7.

Abstract

A unified strategy for total synthesis of the Lycopodium alkaloids (-)-8-deoxyserratinine (7), (+)-fawcettimine (1), and (+)-lycoflexine (4) is detailed. The key features include a highly efficient Helquist annulation to assemble the cis-fused 6/5 bicycle, facile construction of the aza nine-membered ring system employing double N-alkylation strategy, providing access to the common tricyclic skeleton, asymmetric Shi epoxidation, delivering the desired β-epoxide stereospecifically to furnish (-)-8-deoxyserratinine (7), SmI(2) reduction of dihydroxylation derivative 35 to enable formation of (+)-fawcettimine (1), and a rapid biomimetic transformation of (+)-fawcettimine (1) into (+)-lycoflexine (4) via an intramolecular Mannich cyclization.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemical synthesis*
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemical synthesis
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / chemical synthesis
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / chemistry
  • Indolizines / chemical synthesis
  • Indolizines / chemistry
  • Lycopodium / chemistry*

Substances

  • 8-deoxyserratinine
  • Alkaloids
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings
  • Indolizines
  • alopecuridine
  • fawcettimine
  • lycoflexine