Progress toward the total synthesis of 9β-hydroxyvertine: Construction of an advanced quinolizidine intermediate

Progress toward the total synthesis of 9β-hydroxyvertine 2 is described. Our approach involves a Petasis borono-Mannich reaction to assemble a key intermediate A, securing the correct configuration at H-9 and H-10 in the final targeted molecule. Subsequent formation of the quinolizidine framework B allowed the synthesis of an advanced intermediate containing all but the lactone moiety of 2. Our unsuccessful attempts at introducing this lactone feature are also described.