Asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-desoxoprosophylline 1 and prosophyiline 2
from 1-(alpha-furyl)-2 phenylmethoxy-N-tosylethylamine 3 were accomplished
in 10 steps with an overall yield of 4% and in nine steps with an overall
yield of 11%, respectively. The oxidation of 3 to dihydropyridone was used
as the key step. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.