Combining the [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis strategies for the synthesis of spirocyclic alkaloids. A short and efficient route to (+/-)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin.

This paper describes the use of selenium-based [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangem ent in combination with ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis (RCM) f or the synthesis of azaspiro ring systems, as exemplified by the reactions of model substrates 5 and 6. The methodology has been applied to a short an d efficient formal total synthesis of the alkaloid (+/-)-perhydrohistrionic otoxin (2). Thus, (+/-)-depentylperhydrohistrionicotoxin, 1, a known key in termediate for the synthesis of 2, was synthesised from 2,3-epoxycyclohexan -1-one in 10 laboratory operations and ca. 20% overall yield. The synthetic route is potentially enantioselective, and key steps were the [2,3] sigmat ropic rearrangement of 11 to 12 via the corresponding allylic selenide (86% yield) and ruthenium-catalyzed RCM of 13 to 14 (80%). (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.