Total Syntheses of the Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids Zephycandidine III and Lycosinine A and Their Evaluation as Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase

The title alkaloids, 1 and 2 respectively, have been prepared using cross-coupling chemistries and together with various analogues they have been evaluated for their capacity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. Contrary to an earlier report, we have found that biaryl 1 is not a significant inhibitor of this enzyme and nor are any of its congeners, including alkaloid 2.