A novel total synthesis of (+)-himbacine, a potent antagonist of the muscarinic receptor of M2 subtype

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)00473-6

The title total synthesis was achieved by a method featuring highly stereoselective intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the tetrahydroisobenzofuran 5 with the chiral butenolide 6 as the key step. The cycloadduct 4 was converted to the title alkaloid by way of the known sulfone 2 in 17 steps.