Asymmetric total synthesis of(–)-protoemetinol,(–)-protoemetine,(–)-emetine, and (–)-tubulosine by highly stereocontrolled radical cyclisations

TLDR: Both enantiomers of the menthyl halfesters (10) and (23) of ethylmalonic acid were converted into (+)-(4S,5R)-4-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-5-ethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrone (18) as discussed by the authors.

Abstract: Both enantiomers of the menthyl half-esters (10) and (23) of ethylmalonic acid were converted into(+)-(4S,5R)-4-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-5-ethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrone (18). A mixture of the trans-(18) and cis-lactones (19) in a ratio of ca. 4 : 1 was prepared by way of radical cyclisation of the (E)-α,β-unsaturated esters (16), while the former (18) was synthesised with high stereoselection by the cyclisation of the (Z)-esters (26). The lactone (18) was enantioselectively transformed into (–)-protoemetimol (5) and (–)-protoemetine (4), correlated to (–)-emetine (1) and (–)-tubulosine (3).