Convergency and Divergency as Strategic Elements in Total Synthesis:  The Total Synthesis of (−)-Drupacine and the Formal Total Synthesis of (±)-Cephalotaxine, (−)-Cephalotaxine, and (+)-Cephalotaxine

A concise route toward the syntheses of (-)-drupacine and (+)- and (-)-cephalotaxine has been developed. The syntheses rely on Pd(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative heterocyclization chemistry, which was employed to rapidly construct an important spirocyclic amine intermediate. A dynamic beta-elimination/conjugate addition process was strategically applied to complete the first asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-drupacine.