Stereoselective synthesis of polyhydroxylated quinolizidines from C-glycosides by one-pot double-conjugate addition.

An effective one-pot synthesis of polyhydroxylated quinolizidines from 1-C-(2'-oxo-4'-pentenyl)-5-azido-C-glycofuranosides was developed. Reduction of the 5-azido group using triphenylphosphine followed by base treatment produced quinolizidines in good yield. The base-mediated ring-opening beta-elimination produced an acyclic alpha,beta-conjugated ketone as a Michael acceptor, which was followed by an intramolecular nitrogen conjugate addition to form an aza-C-glycopyranoside intermediate. Meanwhile, the beta,gamma-double bond of the aglycon migrated under the basic conditions to form another alpha,beta-conjugated ketone. The subsequent intramolecular conjugate addition by the azasugar nitrogen led to the formation of the quinolizidines in a highly stereoselective manner. The stereoselectivity of the first conjugate addition giving azasugar is affected by the stereochemistry of the monosaccharide substrate, whereas the stereoselectivity in the second conjugate addition was likely directed entirely by steric repulsion from the azasugar.