Organolithium-mediated conversion of beta-alkoxy aziridines into allylic sulfonamides: effect of the N-sulfonyl group and a formal synthesis of (+/-)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin.

In 18 out of 20 examples of the organolithium-mediated conversion of beta-alkoxy aziridines into substituted allylic sulfonamides, use of a Bus (Bus = t-BuSO2) substituent on the nitrogen gave higher yields compared to the analogous N-Ts compounds. The success with the N-Bus aziridines facilitated the development of a new route to the spirocyclic core of the histrionicotoxins and completion of a formal synthesis of (+/-)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin.