Asymmetric synthesis of sceletium alkaloids: (-)-Mesembrine, (+)- sceletium a-4, (+)-tortuosamine and (+)-N-formyltortuosamine

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)01689-X

Three procedures for the transformation of achiral 1-(3,4- dimethoxyphenyl)cyclohexene into enantiomerically pure 2-(3,4- dimethoxyphenyl)cyclohex-2-en-1-o1 have been established at first. Utilizing the (-)-cyclohexenol thus obtained, the four titled Sceletium alkaloids have been synthesized in the natural enantiomeric forms.