Consecutive Pictet-Spengler Condensations toward Bioactive 8-Benzylprotoberberines: Highly Selective Total Syntheses of (+)-Javaberine A, (+)-Javaberine B, and (-)-Latifolian A

Enantiopure 8-benzylprotoberberines were synthesized by two consecutive Pictet-Spengler (PS) condensations with protected 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehydes. The first PS to (+)-(R)-norprotosinomenine was optimized to 90 % ee with 5 mol-% of (R)-TRIP as chiral Bronsted acid (> 99 % ee after trituration). The second PS did not require any catalyst, and its regioselectivity was strongly dependent on the solvent: 99: 1 para selectivity was obtained in trifluoroethanol leading to (+)javaberine A; 81: 19 ortho selectivity was reached in apolar aprotic solvents for the synthesis of (+)-javaberine B. Complete, natural diastereoselectivity was observed in the second PS. Through selective catechol oxidation the spirocyclic alkaloid (-)-latifolian A was prepared from protected (+)-javaberine A.