Total Synthesis

Total Synthesis of Indole Alkaloids

Our group has been interested in the total synthesis of indole alkaloids using the cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction. Treatment of aldimines derived from 2-aminocinnamic acid derivatives and aldehydes provided 2-substituted indole-3-acetic acid derivatives as the key intermediates. Subsequent transformations completed the total synthesis of several indole alkaloids.

Completed Target Molecules

Total Synthesis of Axially Chiral Natural Products

In addition, our group has commenced with a research program toward the development of atroposelective total synthesis of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids. These alkaloids possesses both central chirality(ies) and axial chiralty, and thus it is a very challenging task to control both axial and central chiralities in these metabolites. To address this challenge, we designed a novel strategy to control axial chirality using the existing central chirality in the isoquinoline subunit.

Completed Target Molecules

Modular Total Synthesis via Iterative Coupling Reaction

Completed Target Molecules