Development of methodology for marine alkaloid synthesis

ORGN 323

Steven M. Weinreb, smw@chem.psu.edu, Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, PA 16802
Methodology has been developed for the generation of N-acyliminium ions from readily available o-aminobenzamides of simple secondary amines via a radical translocation process. This approach provides efficient entry to a variety of stable, storable alpha-methoxybenzamides which can act as precursors to both endocyclic and “linear” N-acyliminium ions. The scope, limitations, regioselectivity and some mechanistic considerations of the methodology will be discussed. In addition, the application of this and related chemistry to total synthesis of the marine alkaloid cylindricine B will be described.