10.1021/jo101910r
The study presents a nine-step total synthesis of the quinolizidine alkaloid (+)-Epilupinine with an overall yield of 48%. The key step in this synthesis is the intramolecular nitrile oxide-alkene cycloaddition (INOC), which is used to construct the quinolizidine skeleton. The researchers developed a novel method to efficiently prepare the challenging intermediate (R)-(2-vinylpiperid-1-yl)propanal oxime (13a) from (R)-(2-vinylpiperid-1-yl)propanol (11a) using a two-step process involving Mitsunobu reaction and N-detosylation, avoiding the use of the highly unstable aldehyde intermediate. This method was further generalized to convert various 3-(N,N-dialkylamino)propanols into their corresponding oximes. The final steps of the synthesis involve a Raney nickel-promoted desulfurization to yield the target compound (+)-Epilupinine. The study not only provides a practical and scalable route to this biologically important alkaloid but also offers a new approach for the application of INOC in the total synthesis of other alkaloids.