An economical synthesis of the alkaloids, 3,4-dimethoxy-ω-(2-piperidyl)-acetophenone, julandine, and cryptopleurine
Abstract
Condensation of dimethoxybenzoylacetic acid with enzyme-generated (2) gives 3,4-dimethoxy-ω-(2-piperidyl)acetophenone (4), which by reaction with p-methoxyphenylacetaldehyde, and titanium(IV) chloride-catalysed cyclisation of the resultant enamine (6) leads to julandine (8); thallium(III) trifluoroacetate oxidation of (8) gives cryptopleurine (10).