Total synthesis of (-)-galanthamine by remote asymmetric induction

摘要

(-)-Galanthamine (1),an alkaloid isolated from the Amar-yllidaceae family,has attracted the attention of synthetic chemists because of its use as a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in the clinical treatment of Alzheimer's disease.Its limited supply and the high costs associated with isolating this compound from natural sources are two compelling reasons for the need for an efficient synthesis.(-)-Galanthamine (1) has usually been prepared industrially through the crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation of the intermediate (+-)-narwedine (2).As the latter compound is highly allergenic,chemists must be extremely careful when working with it,which underscores the necessity for safer and more efficient methods for the synthesis of (-)-l.