An efficient approach to 2-substituted N-tosylpiperidines:: asymmetric synthesis of 2-(2-hydroxy substituted)-piperidine alkaloids

We have developed an efficient and a general approach to chiral 2-substituted N-tosylpiperidines starting from chiral Otsubstituted-N-tosylaziridines. Using this approach, we have synthesized (+)-coniine. The synthesis of chiral N-tosyl-2-piperidinylethanol 15 and ent-15, was achieved from L- and D-aspartic acids, respectively in few steps. Piperidine 15 was converted into 2-(2-hydroxysubstituted)piperidines of type 2 in optically active form. By applying this strategy, asymmetric syntheses of halosaline (R,R)-2a, (+)- and (-)-sedamine 2b, (+)- and (-)-allosedamine 2c, (+)- and (-)-sedridine 2d, (+)- and (-)-allosedridine 2e, (+)tetraponerine T-3 3a, T-4 3c, T-7 3b, and T-8 3d have been achieved in high yields. These stereoisomers can be interconverted via Mitsunobu inversion in excellent yields. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.