文摘
Homologation of readily available α-boryl pyrrolidines with metal carbenoids is especially challenging even when good leaving groups (Cl<sup>−sup>) are employed. By performing a solvent switch from Et<sub>2sub>O to CHCl<sub>3sub>, efficient 1,2-metalate rearrangement of the intermediate boronate occurs with both halide and ester leaving groups. The methodology was used in the total synthesis of the Stemona alkaloid (−)-stemaphylline in just 11 steps (longest linear sequence), with high stereocontrol (>20:1 d.r.) and 11 % overall yield. The synthesis also features a late-stage lithiation–borylation reaction with a tertiary amine containing carbenoid.