Total synthesis of (-)-kaitocephalin

Abstract

(-)-Kaitocephalin has been synthesized. With the C9 stereocenter from Garner's aldehyde, the C4 quaternary carbon was installed by the desymmetrization of the Cbz-protected serinol. The remaining stereogenic centers were generated through mercuriocyclization, epoxidation and regioselective epoxide opening, in which the quaternary carbon most likely played crucial roles in the stereoinduction.