Aporphine alkaloid synthesis and diversification via direct arylation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.200600674

Palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of aryl chlorides, bromides and iodides has been applied to the preparation of new aporphine analogues including C2-substituted aporphines by reaction with benzodioxole, pyridine N-oxide and pyrazine N-oxide. Successful application of direct arylation in these diversification reactions highlights its utility not only in convergent, but also in divergent synthesis. We also describe enantioselective syntheses of (R)-nornuciferine and (R)-nuciferine employing a catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation in high yield and excellent enantiomeric excess. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2007.