Formal total synthesis of (−)-kainic acid

This article reported an eight steps formal total synthesis of (−)-kainic acid in 16% overall yield from an enantiopure starting material. The key transformations include an efficient tandem N-allylation/SN2′ reaction to construct the 2,3-trans-3,4-cis tri-substituted pyrrolidine and a HgCl2-promoted methanolysis of 1,4-benzodithia-fulvene to furnish the ester group.

Graphical abstractThis article reported an eight steps formal total synthesis of (−)-kainic acid from an enantiopure starting material. The key transformations include an efficient tandem N-allylation/SN2′ reaction to construct the 2,3-trans-3,4-cis tri-substituted pyrrolidine and a HgCl2-promoted methanolysis of 1,4-benzodithia-fulvene to furnish the ester group.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (112 K)Download as PowerPoint slide