The first totalsynthesis of (-)-16-episilicine has been completed from a phenylglycinol-derived bicyclic lactam, the key steps being stereoselective conjugate addition and alkylation reactions, and a ring-closing metathesis.
Starting from an appropriate unsaturated phenylglycinol-derived oxazolopiperidone lactam, the synthesis of (−)-16-episilicine is reported, the key steps being a stereoselective conjugate addition, a stereoselective alkylation, and a ring-closing metathesis reaction. This represents the first enantioselective total synthesis of an alkaloid of the silicine group.