Asymmetric synthesis of alkaloids using polyfunctionalized chiral building blocks

Enantiopure N‐sulfinyl‐δ‐amino‐β‐ketoesters and isoquinolones, prepared from sulfinimines (N‐sulfinyl imines) are a new class of polyfunctionalized chiral building blocks. These building blocks provide easy access to enantiomerically pure, functionalized piperidines and tetrahydroisoquinolines with a minimum of chemical manipulation and protecting‐group chemistry.