Synthesis of (±)-Serralongamine A and the Revised Structure of Huperzine N

Abstract

A revised structure for the Lycopodium alkaloid huperzine N is proposed and confirmed by synthesis. The key synthetic steps involve an epimerization of a cis-5-oxodecahydroquinoline to the corresponding trans isomer and a coupling, followed by a diastereoselective hydrogenation using Wilkinson's catalyst to incorporate the pyridylmethyl moiety. This route allowed the alkaloid serralongamine A to be synthesized for the first time, and two additional steps led to the revised structure of huperzine N, both products bearing an unusual decahydroquinoline stereostructure.