Synthesis of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids, (±)-Cherylline and (±)-Latifine

Abstract

Synthesis of the alkaloids, (±)-cherylline (1) and (±)-latifine (2), was accomplished by application of an isocyanate cyclization reaction according to Tsuda's two step procedure for constructing 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinol-l-one and a regioselective cleavage reaction of aromatic methyl ethers with dimethyl sulfide in methanesulfonic acid.