The first enantioselective total syntheses of (–)-alstolucinces A, B, and F, (–)-echitamidine,
and (–)-N-demethylalstogucine are reported. This article details the development of our first-
and second-generation approaches toward the ABCE tetracyclic core of the strychnos
alkaloids and the application thereof to the aforementioned targets. Key steps involve
our sequential one-pot biscyclization method that constructs the C and E rings of
the tetracyclic core and Rawal’s application of the intramolecular Heck reaction to
secure the pentacyclic framework common amongst all targets.
Key words
total synthesis - natural products - strychnos alkaloids