# A Total Synthesis of (−)-Strychnine Using Photoredox Catalysis

## TL;DR

The paper presents a new and efficient way to synthesize strychnine using light-driven chemical reactions.

## Contribution

A novel synthesis route for strychnine using photoredox catalysis and renewable starting materials.

## Key findings

- A photoredox-catalytic C2-cyanomethylation step was successfully used.
- A condensation-electrocyclization cascade efficiently linked two fragments.
- Photochemical decarboxylation provided access to strychnofluorine.

## Abstract

A concise route toward (−)-strychnine is presented.
Key
steps include the photoredox-catalytic C2-cyanomethylation of Boc-l-Trp-OMe and a condensation-electrocyclization cascade linking
two fragments convergently to obtain an advanced intermediate. A photochemical
decarboxylation provided convenient access to strychnofluorine, which
could be transformed through the Wieland–Gumlich aldehyde to
strychnine. All building blocks can be traced back to renewable sources.