A new access to cyclopenta[c]pyridine ring system: syntheses of (−)-plectrodorine and (+)-oxerine

Total syntheses of (−)-plectrodorine [(−)-1] and (+)-oxerine [(+)-3] possessing the cyclopenta[c]pyridine ring system have been accomplished through a route starting from the chiral γ-butyrolactone 7 and exploiting the intramolecular oxazole–olefin Diels–Alder reaction. The sign of specific rotation for the synthetic (+)-3 was in disagreement with that reported for natural oxerine, leaving the absolute configuration of this monoterpene alkaloid incomplete.