Synthesis of the heterocyclic core of martinelline and martinellic acid

摘要

A Povarov reaction, between an aromatic imine derived from cinnamaldehyde and a cyclic enamide, was employed to rapidly construct the tricyclic core of the alkaloids martinelline and martinellic acid. The cycloaddition was completely regioselective though the exolendo selectivity was poor. The diastercoisomers were readily separated by flash chromatography and the relative stereochemistry of the exo-isomer confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. This intermediate was converted to the central core of the aforementioned alkaloids in five additional synthetic operations. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.