Asymmetric synthesis of synthetic alkaloids by a tandem biocatalysis/Ugi/Pictet-Spengler-type cyclization sequence.

We have combined the biocatalytic desymmetrization of 3,4-cis-substituted meso-pyrrolidines with an Ugi-type multicomponent reaction followed in situ by a Pictet-Spengler-type cyclization reaction sequence for the rapid asymmetric synthesis of alkaloid-like polycyclic compounds.