10.1021/ja990707p
The research focuses on the concise, enantioselective synthesis of (-)-dendrobine (1), a major alkaloid constituent of the Chinese ornamental orchid Dendrobium nobile, known for its antipyretic and hypotensive activities. The purpose of the study was to develop an efficient and stereoselective synthetic route to this molecule, which was achieved in 13 steps, starting from (+)-trans-verbenol (6). The synthesis involved a cascade reaction with a carbamyl radical to form amino alcohol 3, establishing the three principal stereogenic centers. Key chemicals used in the process included Pauson-Khand reaction components, such as N-propargyl derivative 8, and various reagents for functional group transformations, like iodotrimethylsilane, phenylselenenyl bromide, diethylaluminum cyanide, and sodium borohydride. The synthesis concluded with the formation of (-)-dendrobine (1) from cyanoketone 13 through a series of reactions, including reduction, Barton-McCombie deoxygenation, and epimerization, ultimately yielding the target compound with a 75% overall yield from 14 based on the recovered 15b. The study also highlighted the intriguing solvent effect on the Pauson-Khand reaction and the efficient formation of the azatricyclo[6.2.1.04,11]undecane ring system.