A new approach to the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane framework of huperzine A-like molecules via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular ~/-arylation

In our synthetic studies toward huperzine A, a diastereoselective α＇-alkylation of the α-amido-γ-methyl hexenone 4 was real- ized through a dianion intermediate which significantly enhanced the reactivity. Under the attempted Heck reaction conditions, an unexpected and unprecedented palladium-catalyzed intramolecular T-arylation of 3 was observed, which generated 18 with bicyclo[3.3, l]nonane framework in satisfactory yield.