Formal synthesis of schulzeines B and C: A new route to Gurjar's lactams

Abstract

Described is a formal synthesis of racemic schulzeines B and C that intercepts intermediates developed by Gurjar and co-workers. The synthetic sequence features an annulative coupling of a ketimine and acrylic acid enabling the construction of the benzoquinolizidine nucleus in a highly convergent manner. We also examined a continuous-flow version of the thermal aza-annulation, which proved less practical as compared to the batch processes.