Abstract

Pyrroles and gem-dihalocyclopropanes are both readily accessible classes of compound. They have considerable potential as building blocks in the construction of alkaloid frameworks. This review details work, carried out within the authors laboratories, directed towards such ends and with a particular emphasis on the engagement of the title moieties in intramolecular processes. An emerging area involving efforts to exploit the complementary electronic characteristics of pyrroles and gem-dihalogenocyclopropanes in the synthesis of alkaloids is also discussed.

Keywords: natural products chemistry, didemnum sp, marine alkaloids, longamide, intramolecular michael addition reactions, rhazinal, lycoricidine