Total Synthesis: Zincke Reaction and Strychnine Synthesis

This lecture covers the Zincke Reaction, focusing on Zincke's Aldehyde and its mechanism, discovered in 1904 and re-discovered in 2006. It also delves into Vanderwal's Total Synthesis of Strychnine, detailing the synthesis steps, including Zincke aldehyde formation, N-Deallylation, and a Diels-Alder reaction. The lecture highlights the key features of the synthesis, such as the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction for rapid tetracyclic ring system construction.