Stereoselective synthesis of enantiomerically pure nupharamine alkaloids from castoreum.

An animalic note: The first total synthesis of the all-cis nupharamine 2, an alkaloid from beaver castoreum, is based on the stereoselective domino Mannich-Michael reaction of N-galactosylfurylaldimine to give 1 (Piv = pivaloyl), subsequent conjugate cuprate addition, and stereoselective protonation of the enolate. These reactions are all controlled by the carbohydrate. Protonation of the enolate after cleavage of the auxiliary leads to epimer 3.