Scientists in Switzerland have carried out the asymmetric synthesis of the 12-membered lactone alkaloids (+)-vertine and (+)-lythrine (structurally related and possessing a range of bioactivities), which has so far proved a challenge.
Peter Kundig and his group employed a range of strategies and novel tactics to overcome the synthetic challenge, and the strain in the two diastereomeric 12-membered lactone alkaloids was ultimately overcome via Z-selective alkene metathesis.
Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-vertine and (+)-lythrine
Peter Kundig, Laetitia Chausset-Boissarie, Roman Arvai, Graham Cumming and Laure Guénée
DOI: 10.1039/C2OB25880C
