Synthesis of (S)-Mappicine and mappicine ketone via radical cascade reaction of isonitriles

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)90398-7

(S)-Mappicine (2) and mappicine ketone (1) have been prepared from methylacetoacetate (4) by a strategy featuring a radical cascade reaction of an isonitrile as the key step. The introduction of the hydroxy group of (S)- mappicine occurred with moderate selectivity through asymmetric hydroxylation.