Novel zinc-promoted alkylation of iminium salts. New synthesis of benzylisoquinoline, phthalidylisoquinoline, and protoberberine alkaloids and related compounds
Zinc-promoted reductive coupling reaction of iminium salts with alkyl halides was found to be a successful key reaction for synthesis of a variety of alkaloids such as benzylisoquinoline, phthalidylisoquinoline, and protoberberine alkaloids. More specifically, laudanosine, cordrastine, hydrastine, narcotine, tetrahydropalmatine, and canadine were obtained. A new route for the synthesis of the emetine and yohimbine skeletons was ...