Stereocontrolled synthesis of quinine and quinidine

Disubstituted cyclopentene was prepared from cyclopentene monoacetate and transferred into disubstituted piperidine via oxidative cleavage of the olefin moiety followed by piperidine ring formation. The piperidine was then condensed at the side chain with a quinoline part to afford the olefin precursor of quinine. Finally, the olefin was converted into quinine through the corresponding epoxide. Quinidine was synthesized in a similar way. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.