Asymmetric synthesis of the protoberberine alkaloid (S)-(-)-xylopinine using enantiopure sulfinimines.

A concise enantioselective synthesis of (S)-(-)-xylopinine (1) is described involving the addition of the laterally lithiated derivative of o-tolunitrile of 16 to enantiopure sulfinimine (+)-14. Treatment of the resulting cyano sulfinamide adduct (-)-17b with DIBAL-H accomplishes five operations in a single pot and furnishes the cyclic imine (+)-18 in good yield. Reduction and cyclization affords (S)-(-)-1. Alternatively basic hydrolysis of 17b,c gives isoquinolone 21 that is cyclized and reduced to give (S)-(-)-1.