Evolution of the synthetic strategy that culminated in the first asymmetric total synthesis of the Aspidosperma alkaloid limaspermidine is described. The successful enantioselective route to (−)-limaspermidine proceeds in 10 steps and with the isolation of only six intermediates using a Pd-catalyzed enantioselective decarboxylative allylation we have recently developed. This first enantioselective synthesis of (−)-limaspermidine establishes ...
