Reactions of protoberberine-type alkaloids—XI : Synthesis of optically active ochotensanes

Treatment of l(14S)-β-canadine methochloride (1b) and d(14R)-β-canadine methochloride (1c) with organometals gave d- (2b) and l-2,3-methylenedioxy-9,10-dimethoxyochotensanes (2c), respectively. The structures of these derivatives were proved by chemical and spectral means. The CD spectra of 2b showed Davydov split extrema centered at 284 nm with a positive first Cotton effect, while 2c showed the antipodal curve of 2b. Consequently, the absolute configurations of 2b and 2c were concluded the 14R and 14S, respectively.Application of the anionic rearrangement to N-methyltharictricavine chloride (15) led to 2,3 - methylenedioxy - 9,10 - dimethoxy - 13 - methylochotensane (18) together with the Hofmann methines 16 and 17. The stereochemistry of 18 was confirmed in terms of the nuclear Overhauser effects.