Synthesis of alkaloids from amino acids via N-acyliminium ions generated by one-pot radical decarboxylation–oxidation

A one-pot methodology for the synthesis of α-substituted nitrogen heterocycles from commercial amino acids has been developed. Good stereoselectivity can be achieved with chiral substituted rings. This procedure has been applied to the synthesis of piperidine, pyrrolidine and indolizidinone alkaloids.