Complex Polyheterocycles and the Stereochemical Reassignment of Pileamartine A via Aza-Heck Triggered Aryl C–H Functionalization Cascades

Structurally complex benzo- and spiro-fused N-polyheterocycles can be accessed via intramolecular Pd(0)-catalyzed alkene 1,2-aminoarylation reactions. The method uses N-(pentafluorobenzoyloxy)carbamates as the initiating motif, and this allows aza-Heck-type alkene amino-palladation in advance of C–H palladation of the aromatic component. The chemistry is showcased in the first total synthesis of the complex alkaloid (+)-pileamartine A, which has resulted in the reassignment of its absolute stereochemistry.