Synthesis of alkaloids and analogs with pharmacological activity

Alkaloids have a central role among the natural biologically active compounds. The total synthesis offers the possibility to confirm the structure and the stereochemistry of the natural compounds and gives the opportunity to prepare analogs that could be useful to disclose the structure-activity relationship. In this report the synthetic approach to differnt alkaloids will be presented by biomimetic and not-biomimetic strategies. In particular the discussion will be centered on the synthesis of analogs of the anticancer vinblastine (1) together with andranginine (2), aloperine (3), and ibogaine (4).