Synthesis of 2-(3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-alkenyl)-1-pyrrolines and 2-(3-hydroxybutyl)-1-pyrroline using α-lithiated 2-methyl-1-pyrroline

A convergent strategy towards febrifugine and related compounds

We report a modular five step synthetic route to the febrifugines that employs 2-(chloromethyl)allyl-trimethylsilane as a conjunctive reagent for the coupling of the piperidine and quinazolinone groups. We also demonstrate the application of a recent Rh-catalyzed quinazolinone synthesis for the facile generation of febrifugine analogs.