Synthesis of (--)-lasubine(I) via a planar chiral [(eta6-arene)Cr(CO)3] complex.

Key steps of the synthesis of the Lythracaea alkaloid (--)-lasubine(I) are the formation of an enantiopure planar chiral arylaldehyde tricarbonylchromium complex and highly diastereoselective aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition and intramolecular radical cyclization reactions to afford a quinolizidinone intermediate. Ketone reduction, desilylation, and decomplexation yield the enantiomerically pure product.