Chemoenzymatic total synthesis of ent-neopinone and formal total synthesis of ent-codeinone from β-bromoethylbenzene*

Formal total synthesis of ent-codeinone and ent-codeine was accomplished via the total synthesis of ent-neopinone attained in 14 steps from β-bromoethylbenzene. The key steps included (i) enzymatic dihydroxylation of β-bromoethylbenzene with E. coli JM109 (pDTG601a), an organism that overexpresses toluene dioxygenase, (ii) a Heck reaction to establish C-13 stereogenic center, (iii) aldol condensation, and (iv) 1,6-conjugate addition of the ethylamino side chain to C-9. Several other modes of construction of the C-9 and C-14 centers were also investigated: Mannich cyclization, and aza-Prins reaction. The synthesis of ent-codeinone was formalized by intersecting Fukuyama’s recently published approach. Experimental and spectral data are provided for all new compounds.