A Regio- and Diastereoselective Anodic Aryl-Aryl Coupling in the Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (-)-Thebaine

Abstract

The biosynthesis of thebaine is based on the regioselective, intramolecular, oxidative coupling of (R)-reticuline. For decades, chemists have sought to mimic this coupling by using stoichiometric oxidants. However, all approaches to date have suffered from low yields or the formation of undesired regioisomers. Electrochemistry would represent a sustainable alternative in this respect but all attempts to accomplish an electrochemical synthesis of thebaine have failed so far. Herein, a regio- and diastereoselective anodic coupling of 3',4',5'-trioxygenated laudanosine derivatives is presented, which finally enables electrochemical access to (-)-thebaine.

Keywords: alkaloids; biomimetic synthesis; electrochemistry; morphine; thebaine.