Enantioselective total synthesis of asidophytine

The active principles of the anticockroach/insecticidal powder 'la hierba de la cucaracha', which is derived from the leaves of the Haplophyton cimicidum plant, includes a variety of alkaloids including aspidophytine and haplophytine. The complex structures of these two alkaloids have yet to be determined. A study reports the short, convergent enantioselective synthesis of asidophytine. Asidophytine synthesis will likely lead to the synthesis of haplophytine.