The Pd(O)-catalysed [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions of phenylsulphonyl
-activated unsaturated carbohydrate derivatives afforded a variety of
chiral 5,6-bicyclic systems possessing useful exocyclic unsaturation.
This procedure was used to prepare a synthon for ajmalicine 3 and tetr
ahydroalstonine 4.