Synthesis of novel heterocycles based on the structures of erythrina alkaloids

Erythrina alkaloids represented by structure (1) are known to possess potent CNS activities. In this article, we have completed the synthesis of modified heterocyclic core structures (4) of erythrina alkaloids incorporating groups, which are expected to be metabolically more stable. Finally, we have oxidatively rearranged (4) to yield novel heterocycles (5).