Pericyclic Cascade toward Isochromenes: Application to the Synthesis of Alkaloid Benzosimuline

J Org Chem. 2016 Sep 2;81(17):7977-83. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.6b01278. Epub 2016 Aug 11.

Abstract

The synthesis of biologically active alkaloid benzosimuline, isolated from the shrub Zanthoxylum simulans, is reported. Key transformation involves an oxa-6π electrocyclic ring-opening/hetero-Diels-Alder pericyclic cascade. Although the last aromatization step proved to be cumbersome, this work unfolds a unique route to access interesting molecules from simple precursors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzopyrans / chemistry*
  • Cycloaddition Reaction
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Zanthoxylum / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Benzopyrans