A Total Synthesis of (−)-Strychnine Using Photoredox Catalysis
Abstract
A concise route toward (-)-strychnine is presented. Key steps include the photoredox-catalytic C2-cyanomethylation of Boc-l-Trp-OMe and a condensation-electrocyclization cascade linking two fragments convergently to obtain an advanced intermediate. A photochemical decarboxylation provided convenient access to strychnofluorine, which could be transformed through the Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde to strychnine. All building blocks can be traced back to renewable sources.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Plant-based Medicinal Research
Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Radical Photochemical Reactions
Publication details
- Journal / source
- JACS Au
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 1822–1826
- Publication date
- 23 February 2026
- Language
- EN