A Five-Step Synthesis of (±)-Tylophorine via a Nitrile-Stabilized Ammonium Ylide

Abstract

The Stevens rearrangement of a nitrile-stabilized ammonium ylide is the key step of a very short and practical synthesis of the phenanthroindolizine alkaloid (±)-tylophorine. The method requires only five linear steps and is devoid of any protecting group manipulations.