A cascade strategy enables a total synthesis of (-)-gephyrotoxin

A concise and efficient synthesis of (-)-gephyrotoxin from L-pyroglutaminol has been realized. The key step in this approach is a diastereoselective intramolecular enamine/Michael cascade reaction that forms two rings and two stereocenters and generates a stable tricyclic iminium cation. A hydroxy-directed reduction of this intermediate plays a key role in establishing the required cis-decahydroquinoline ring system, enabling the total synthesis of (-)-gephyrotoxin in nine steps and 14% overall yield. The absolute configuration of the synthetic material was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and is consistent with the structure originally proposed for material isolated from the natural source.