Hai‐Jun Zhang

A new twist: The catalytic asymmetric semipinacol rearrangement reaction of 2-oxo allylic alcohols 1 in the presence of a catalytic amount of chiral phosphoric acid (R)-2 a or its silver salt (R)-2 b affords enantiomerically pure spiroethers 3. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

(-)-Daphnilongeranin B and (-)-daphenylline are two hexacyclic Daphniphyllum alkaloids, each containing a complex cagelike backbone. Described herein are the first asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-daphnilongeranin B and a bioinspired synthesis of (-)-daphenylline with an unusual E ring embedded in a cagelike framework. The key features include an intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition, a late-stage aldol cyclization to install the F ring of daphnilongeranin B, and a bioinspired cationic rearrangement leading to the tetrasubstituted benzene ring of daphenylline.

A direct catalytic asymmetric vinylogous Mannich-type reaction has been disclosed in good yield, excellent regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The key to control the regioselectivity is the combination of a bulky N-acylpyrazole and a bulky bisphosphine ligand. The catalytic system was extended to a bisvinylogous Mannich-type reaction by changing the ligand. The synthetic utility of the vinylogous products was demonstrated by several transformations.