Synthesis of the Tricyclic Caged Core of Palhinine Alkaloids Based on a Non-Diels-Alder-Type Strategy.

A concise synthesis of the tricyclo[4.3.1.03,7]decane caged core of palhinine alkaloids was developed with SmI2-mediated cyclization and light-initiated radical addition-fragmentation as key steps. Compared with the reported racemic routes which are all based on Diels-Alder-type key reactions, our strategy would be more readily accessible to the asymmetric total syntheses of the palhinine alkaloids.