Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)-Quinocarcinamide.

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-quinocarcinamide (3), an enantiomer of the natural oxidation product from antitumor antibiotic (-)-quinocarcin (1), is described. Key steps include an iridium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic amidation of racemic alcohol 9, olefin cross-metathesis followed by a SN2' to forge tetrahydroisoquinoline, and stereocontrolled 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between a facilely generated azomethine ylide and tert-butyl acrylate to construct the diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring.