Abstract

Development of the asymmetric [C+NC+CC] coupling reaction is described. This reaction assembles aldehyde (C), amine (NC), and alkene (CC) components in a predictable and controlled fashion to give highly functionalized pyrrolidines. The utility of the asymmetric [C+NC+CC] coupling reaction is demonstrated by its application to an efficient formal total synthesis of cyanocycline A.

Keywords: Asymmetric synthesis, azomethine ylide cycloaddition, cyanocycline A, multicomponent reaction, pyrrolidine synthesis