Ring-closing metathesis: A facile construct for alkaloid synthesis*
Stephen F. Martin
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Abstract: Ring-closing metathesis has been found to be a highly effective reaction for the synthesis of functionalized, bridged nitrogen heterocycles. The utility of the process has been established in several case studies, including a facile synthesis of the tropane ring system and efficient, enantioselective syntheses of the natural products (–)-peduncularine and (+)‑anatoxin-a.
Keywords: ring-closing metathesis; alkaloids; enantioselective; heterocycles; stereoselective.
*An issue of reviews and research papers based on lectures presented at the 15th International Conference on Organic Synthesis (ICOS-15), held in Nagoya, Japan, 1-6 August 2004, on the theme of organic synthesis. Other presentations are published in this issue, pp. 1087-1296.