The Synthesis of (±)-Ochrobirine. A New Route to the Spirobenzylisoquinoline System

Abstract

The spirobenzylisoquinoline system has been synthesized from substituted 2-phenyl-1,3-indandiones as starting materials. Ring B of the spiro system was constructed by a modified Pomeranz–Fritsch reaction. The reaction sequence has been applied to the synthesis of an analog of ochrobirine and then to (±)-ochrobirine itself.