Stereoselective synthesis of (–)-4-epiaxinyssamine

The synthetic studies towards axinyssamine, a cytotoxic and coral-lethal compound isolated from the Caribbean sponge Axinyssa ambrosia were performed. The Ritter reaction on the key intermediate with chloroacetonitrile, resulted in the introduction of the amino group at C-4 generating the configuration of this stereocentre opposite to that of the natural product. As a result, the first total synthesis of the unnatural (–)-4-epiaxinyssamine was achieved.