The first total synthesis
of an arcutine-type C20-diterpenoid
alkaloid arcutinine has been achieved in both racemic and asymmetric
forms. Construction of the C4 quaternary center and the pyrrolidine
E ring in an early stage proved to be important for achieving the
successful synthesis of the target alkaloid. Strategically, an asymmetric
conjugate addition/aldol cascade and a decarboxylative allylation
reaction allowed the establishment of the vicinal all-carbon quaternary
stereocenters at C4 and C5. Furthermore, a sequence consisting of
an intramolecular aza-Wacker cyclization, an oxidative
dearomatization/intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition cascade,
and a ketyl-olefin cyclization enabled the assembly of the core structure
and led to the total synthesis of arcutinine.