Whole-cell biooxidation of bromobenzene with Pseudomonas putida 39D or the recombinant Escherichia coli JM109 (pDTG601) yields (1 S, 2 S)-3-bromocyclohexa-3, 5- diene-1, 2-diol (9a), which is protected as the acetonide and converted to vinylaziridines 7, 15a, 63, and 64. Our route to (+)-pancratistatin features the coupling of a higher order cyanocuprate (derived by ortho-metalation from N, N-dimethyl-2-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) ...
