Synthesis of Stemona Alkaloids by Pd(II)-Catalysed C-H Activated Cascade Sequences

This project is concerned with the development of new strategies towards the 7-membered polycyclic Stemona alkaloid family, many of which possess interesting biological activities e.g. cough suppressant and insecticidal. The work will initially concentrate on the formation of the perhydroazazulene (7,5) ring system by investigating Pd(II)-catalysed C-H activation-cyclisation reactions of pyrroles. This work will then be expanded to investigate similar cascade cyclisations to make tri- and tetracyclic systems. Once the methodology is proven we use it in a total synthesis of bisdehydro-tubostemonamidine.