A transient N-O-linked Pauson-Khand strategy for the synthesis of the deschloro carbocyclic core of the palau'amines and styloguanidines.

A stereocontrolled route to the deschloro cyclopentyl core of the palau'amines and styloguanidines has been developed. This strategy makes use of the intramolecular Pauson-Khand cyclization of an enyne with a "transient N-O tether" to construct a five-membered carbocycle in a diastereoselective fashion. [reaction: see text]