A general synthetic approach to amaryllidaceae alkaloids

A general strategy is outlined for the obtention of the various skeletons of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids based upon the Diels-Alder addition of a benzoquinone to an alkoxycyclohexa-1,3-diene and subsequent acid catalysed rearrangement of the adduct. The approach is exemplified by the synthesis of the lycoramine system.