Efficient synthesis of (-)-gamma-lycorane alkaloid by two Bu3SnH-mediated radical cyclisations

An asymmetric induction using (S)-1-arylethylamine-based chiral auxiliary and two Bu3SnH-mediated radical cyclisations have been developed for a total synthesis of (-)-gamma-lycorane (1). The first cyclisation proceeded in 5-endo-trig manner with moderate diastereoselectivtiy to give (3aR,7aR)-octahydroindol-2-one 6b as the major product using alpha-iodo-N-(6-oxocyclohexen-1-yl)-N-[(S)-1-phenylethyl] acetamide (5b). In the second cyclisation, the radical precursor 8 was used as substrate to construct the optically active lycorane skeleton 15 which was reduced using LiAlH4 into (-)-gamma-lycorane (1).