Alkyne-mediated domino hydroformylation/double cyclization: mechanistic insight and synthesis of (±)-tashiromine.

A novel domino reaction, alkyne-mediated domino hydroformylation/double cyclization, has been developed for rapid preparation of indolizidine type alkaloids. DFT calculations were applied for rationales of reactivity and selectivity. A concise synthesis of tashiromine as the application of the methodology is also reported.