Total synthesis of radicamine B and 5-epi-radicamine B

Radicamine B 5 was synthesized from p-hydroxy benzaldehyde 7 stereoselectively using acid catalysed amido cyclisation with the help of neighbouring group participation (NGP). Without NGP both radicamine B 5 and its epimer 5-epi radicamine B 6 were obtained. The key steps of the synthesis are Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylations and acid mediated amido cyclisation.