Asymmetric Total Syntheses of (-)-α-Lycorane, (-)-Zephyranthine and Formal Synthesis of (+)-Clivonine

We report the successful achievement of an asymmetric route to (-)-α-lycorane and (-)-zephyranthine as well as a formal total synthesis of (+)-clivonine. A pivotal intermediate, which serves as a potent precursor for the divergent syntheses of these natural products, was accessed by a diastereoselective Pd-catalyzed cinnamylation of an N-tert-butanesulfinyl imine.