Total synthesis of (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine

J Org Chem. 2011 Apr 15;76(8):2694-700. doi: 10.1021/jo200069m. Epub 2011 Mar 25.

Abstract

Total synthesis of tropane alkaloids (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine were accomplished in nine steps each and in 55% and 46% overall yields, respectively, starting from the known Betti base derivative (+)-(7aR,10R,12S)-10-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-7a,8,9,10-tetrahydro-12-phenyl-12H-naphtho[1,2-e]pyrrolo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazine. In this novel route, RCM reaction and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition were employed as key steps for the enantioselective construction of tropane skeleton and the regioselective introduction of 3-bromo-2-isoxazoline ring as masked cis-2,3-disubstituents. To obtain the desired precursor (2S,5R)-2-allyl-5-vinylpyrrolidine for RCM reaction, we developed a general and practical method for the preparation of enantiopure cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines bearing alkene- and/or alkyne-containing substituents. We also offered two highly efficient pathways for the conversion of the 3-bromo-2-isoxazoline ring into the desired cis-2,3-disubstituted groups in (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry
  • Alkynes / chemistry
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemical synthesis*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / metabolism
  • Cocaine / chemical synthesis*
  • Cocaine / metabolism
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nicotinic Agonists / chemical synthesis*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / metabolism
  • Pyrrolidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Receptors, Dopamine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Vinyl Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Alkynes
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Vinyl Compounds
  • ferruginine
  • Cocaine