Total synthesis of nothapodytine B and (±)-mappicine

A novel, efficient total synthesis of the naturally occurring antiviral nothapodytine B (2, mappicine ketone) is reported. The approach is based on the successful implementation of the Johnson orthoester rearrangement of allylic alcohol 7 for assembly of a pyridone D ring precursor with the necessary functionalities. Nothapodytine B is converted into mappicine 3 by NaBH4 reduction.