π-Allyl palladium approach toward the diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core of the naphthyridinomycin alkaloids

A novel and efficient protocol for the synthesis of the 3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane system found in the naphthyridinomycin, dnacin, and tetrazomine families of alkaloids is described. The key transformation involves an intramolecular palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation. The cyclization proceeds smoothly under mild conditions (20 mol % Pd2dba3, 1.5 equiv DBU, 65 °C, THF, 20 min) to afford 3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes in excellent yields (94-98%).