Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-ephedradine A (orantine)

The stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-ephedradine A has been accomplished. The synthesis features an asymmetric C-H insertion reaction, an intramolecular ester-amide exchange reaction, and a Sharpless asymmetric aminohydroxylation reaction. Construction of the complex macrocyclic ring was performed by Ns-strategy and an intramolecular aza-Wittig reaction.