Complete stereocontrol in the synthesis of harmonine and novel analogues facilitated by a Grubbs Z-selective cross-metathesis catalysis

(R)-Harmonine was synthesised in 15 % overall yield via a six-step sequence exploiting a Z-selective cross-metathesis reaction as its centrepiece. By this strategy, the cis-olefin present in the target could be installed exclusively. The use of an alcohol and an ester as the amine precursors was crucial for isolating the cross-metathesis product from the self-metathesis products. This method was also used to prepare two novel analogues of harmonine.