An intramolecular Tsuji-Trost reaction based approach to the synthesis of 6-methylene indolizidines

Herein we describe the efficient stereoselective preparation of C8 substituted indolizidines bearing a 6-methylene group, from the chiral pool starting material l-proline. This synthesis, employing a Tsuji-Trost reaction as the key step, represents a potentially, efficient route to pumiliotoxin natural product epimers.