Application of the PIFA-mediated alkyne amidation reaction to the formal synthesis of (±)-clausenamide

Abstract

The hypervalent iodine reagent PIFA promotes the intramolecular electrophilic cyclization of easily accessible N-aryl and N-methylalkynylamides leading to the formation of the pyrrolidinone skeleton in a very efficient way. This strategy has found application in the preparation of a key intermediate in the total synthesis of ±-clausenamide alkaloid.