Synthesis Of A Phenanthridine Analogue Of Natural Isocarbostyril Alkaloids

A phenanthridine alkaloid analogue has been synthesized by a short sequence, using a stereoselective hydroxylation process and a Pictet-Spengler reaction. The starting material, 5-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-nitrocyclohex-2-enol, is a compound previously reported by us and prepared through a Die Is Alder reaction. The configurational assignment of the starting material, previously done by NMR experiments, was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.