Total Syntheses of Yohimbe Alkaloids, with Stereoselection for the Normal, Allo, and 3-Epiallo Series, Based on Annelations of 4-Methoxy-1,2-dihydropyridones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00008a025

N-<2-(1H-3-indolyl)ethyl>-2,3-dihydro-4-pyridone (31) was generated in two steps (77percent yield) from tryptamine and N-methyl-4-piperidone methiodide.Its cyclization (90percent yield) and oxidation (91percent yield) provided the tetracyclic analogue 32.O-Methylation and Robinson-type annelation of these vinylogous lactams (the latter in form of its N^a-carbamate) furnished the dienones 38 (64percent) and 43 (90percent).Further elaboration by cyclization and/or reduction reactions selectively provided the 15,16-didehydroyohimbinones 7 and 44.Their reductions then led to yohimbinone (52, 20percent overall yield from tryptamine), alloyohimbinone (11, 19percent overall yield), and 3-epi-alloyohimbinone (10, 23percent overall yield), which led to yohimbine (3), β-yohimbine (9), 3-epi-alloyohimbine (53), and 3-epi-17-epi-alloyohimbine (54).