Chapter 4 - Recent advances in applications of Heck reaction in the total synthesis of alkaloids

Abstract

The “Heck reaction” (also called the Mizoroki–Heck reaction) is the chemical reaction of an unsaturated halide (triflate) with an activated alkene in the presence of a base and a palladium (Pd) species as catalyst to generate a substituted alkene. One of the benefits of the Heck reaction is its outstanding trans-selectivity. The Heck reaction is a Pd-catalyzed carbon–carbon cross-coupling reaction that takes place between aryl halides or vinyl halides and activated alkenes in the presence of a base. Recent developments in catalysts and reaction conditions have resulted in a much broader range of donors and acceptors that are amenable to the Heck reaction. In this chapter, we try to follow and cover, the total synthesis of alkaloids using Heck reaction.