Total synthesis of (5R,6R,8R,9S)-(-)-5,9Z-indolizidine 221T using sulfinimine-derived N-sulfinyl beta-amino ketones.

The first total asymmetric synthesis of the poison frog alkaloid (-)-221T, a 5,6,8-trisubstituted indolizidine is described. The key core piperidine ring was constructed via an acid catalyzed intramolecular cascade Mannich cyclization reaction of a N-sulfinyl syn-alpha-methyl beta-amino ketone and crotonaldehyde. The beta-amino ketone was prepared via the reaction of prochiral lithium Weinreb amide enolate with an enantiopure N-2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfinyl imine.