A short, organocatalytic formal synthesis of (-)-swainsonine and related alkaloids.

A short synthesis of hydroxyalkyl dihydropyrroles has been developed that involves the coupling of propargylamines with α-chloroaldehydes, followed by Lindlar reduction and a one-pot epoxide formation/opening sequence. The application of this process to the synthesis of unnatural iminosugars and a formal synthesis of (-)-swainsonine is described.