Total Synthesis of (−)-Rhazinilam and Formal Synthesis of (+)-Eburenine and (+)-Aspidospermidine: Asymmetric Cu-Catalyzed Propargylic Substitution

A total synthesis of (−)-rhazinilam and formal syntheses of (+)-eburenine and (+)-aspidospermidine that rely on a copper­(I)-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic substitution as the key step are reported. A salient feature of the reaction is the asymmetric construction of a quaternary stereocenter in high yield and enantiomeric excess.