A novel formal total synthesis of cephalotaxine.

Wei-Dong Z Li, Bao-Chun Ma

Index: J. Org. Chem. 70(8) , 3277-80, (2005)

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Abstract

A formal total synthesis of cephalotaxine (CET), the parent structure of antileukemia Cephalotaxus alkaloids, was achieved through a novel synthesis of the pentacyclic amino enone 4 by a rapid annulation of readily available beta-(3,4-methylenedioxy)phenethylamine (2), delta-valerolactone, and bromoacetone.