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Extension of the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction to bulkier N b -alkylated tryptophan derivatives resulted in an improved stereospecific access to the key bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core of bioactive C-19 methyl substituted sarpagine/macroline/ajmaline indole alkaloids with excellent diastereoselectivity by internal asymmetric induction. Complete stereocontrol of the C-19 methyl function in either the α- or β-configuration was achieved, which enables the total synthesis of any member from this group of thirty alkaloids. We report herein, the total synthesis of macrocarpines (A-C) 1-3, talcarpine 4, N(4)-methyl-N(4),21-secotalpinine 5, dihydroperaksine 8 and deoxyperaksine 9., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Bisindole natural products consist of two monomeric indole alkaloid units as their obligate constituents. Bisindoles are more potent with respect to their biological activity than their corresponding monomeric units. In addition, the synthesis of bisindoles are far more challenging than the synthesis of monomeric indole alkaloids. Herein is reviewed the enantiospecific total and partial synthesis of bisindole alkaloids isolated primarily from the Alstonia genus of the Apocynaceae family. The monomeric units belong to the sarpagine, ajmaline, macroline, vobasine, and pleiocarpamine series. An up-to-date discussion of their isolation, characterization, biological activity as well as approaches to their partial and total synthesis by means of both synthetic and biosynthetic strategies are presented., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The sarpagine-related macroline and ajmaline alkaloids share a common biosynthetic origin, and bear important structural similarities, as expected. These indole alkaloids are widely dispersed in 25 plant genera, principally in the family Apocynaceae. Very diverse and interesting biological properties have been reported for this group of natural products. Isolation of new sarpagine-related alkaloids and the asymmetric synthesis of these structurally complex molecules are of paramount importance to the synthetic and medicinal chemists. A total of 115 newly isolated sarpagine-related macroline and ajmaline alkaloids, along with their physicochemical properties have been included in this chapter. A general and efficient strategy for the synthesis of these monomeric alkaloids, as well as bisindoles, has been presented, which involves application of the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction (>98% ee) as a key step because of the ease of scale up of the tetracyclic template. Also included in this chapter are the syntheses of the sarpagine-related alkaloids, published since 2000., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A detailed account of the development of a general strategy for synthesis of the C-19 methyl-substituted alkaloids including total synthesis of 19(S),20(R)-dihydroperaksine-17-al (1), 19(S),20(R)-dihydroperaksine (2), and peraksine (6) is presented. Efforts directed toward the total synthesis of macrosalhine chloride (5) are also reported. Important to success is the sequence of chemical reactions which include a critical haloboration reaction, regioselective hydroboration, and controlled oxidation (to provide sensitive enolizable aldehydes at C-20). In addition, the all-important Pd-catalyzed α-vinylation reaction has been extended to a chiral C-19 alkyl-substituted substrate for the first time. Synthesis of the advanced intermediate 64 completes an improved formal total synthesis of talcarpine (26) and provides a starting point for synthesis of macroline-related alkaloids 27-31. Similarly, extension of this synthetic strategy in the ring A oxygenated series should provide easy access to the northern hemisphere 32b of the bisindoles angustricraline, alstocraline, and foliacraline (Figure 4 ).

The total synthesis of the indole alkaloid ervincidine (3) is reported. This research provides a general entry into C-6 hydroxy-substituted indole alkaloids with either an α or a β configuration. This study corrects the errors in Glasby's book (Glasby, J. S. Encyclopedia of the Alkaloids; Plenum Press: New York, 1975) and Lounasmaa et al.'s review (Lounasmaa, M.; Hanhinen, P.; Westersund, M. In The Alkaloids; Cordell, G. A., Ed.; Academic Press: San Diego, CA, 1999; Vol. 52, pp 103-195) as well as clarifies the work of Yunusov et al. (Malikov, V. M.; Sharipov, M. R.; Yunusov, S. Yu. Khim. Prir. Soedin. 1972, 8, 760-761. Rakhimov, D. A.; Sharipov, M. R.; Aripov, Kh. N.; Malikov, V. M.; Shakirov, T. T.; Yunusov, S. Yu. Khim. Prir. Soedin. 1970, 6, 724-725). It establishes the correct absolute configuration of the C-6 hydroxyl function in ervincidine. This serves as a structure proof and corrects the misassigned structure reported in the literature.

The first regio- and stereocontrolled total synthesis of the bisphenolic, bisquaternary alkaloid (+)-dispegatrine (1) has been accomplished in an overall yield of 8.3% (12 reaction vessels) from 5-methoxy-d-tryptophan ethyl ester (17). A crucial late-stage thallium(III) mediated intermolecular oxidative dehydrodimerization was employed in the formation of the C9-C9' biaryl axis in 1. The complete stereocontrol observed in this key biaryl coupling step is due to the asymmetric induction by the natural sarpagine configuration of the monomer lochnerine (6) and was confirmed by both the Suzuki and the oxidative dehydrodimerization model studies on the tetrahydro β-carboline (35). The axial chirality of the lochnerine dimer (40) and in turn dispegatrine (1) was established by X-ray crystallography and was determined to be P(S). Additionally, the first total synthesis of the monomeric indole alkaloids (+)-spegatrine (2), (+)-10-methoxyvellosimine (5), (+)-lochnerine (6), lochvinerine (7), (+)-sarpagine (8), and (+)-lochneram (11) were also achieved via the common pentacyclic intermediate 16.

The development of an efficient diastereoselective method that permits rapid construction of the tetracyclic core 17 of the Strychnos-Aspidosperma alkaloids is described. Enaminone 16, synthesized in high yield, has been cyclized under the influence of a Brønsted acid to provide the core tetracyclic framework 17 of the Strychnos alkaloids in optically active form or alternatively to the β-ketoester tetrahydro-β-carboline (THBC) unit 18, by varying the equivalents of acid and the molar concentration. Attempts to utilize 18 to form the C₇-C₁₆ bond of the akuammiline related alkaloids represented by strictamine (22), using metal-carbenoid chemistry, are also described.

The optically active tetracyclic ketone 8 was converted into the pentacylic core 14 of the C-19 methyl substituted N(a)-H sarpagine and ajmaline alkaloids via a critical haloboration reaction. The ketone 14 was then employed in the total synthesis of 19(S),20(R)-dihydroperaksine-17-al (1) and 19(S),20(R)-dihydroperaksine (2). The key regioselective hydroboration and controlled oxidation-epimerization sequence developed in this approach should provide a general method to functionalize the C(20)-C(21) double bond in the ajmaline-related indole alkaloids., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

The first stereospecific synthesis of polyneuridine aldehyde (6), 16-epivellosimine (7), (+)-polyneuridine (8), and (+)-macusine A (9) has been accomplished from commercially available d-(+)-tryptophan methyl ester. d-(+)-Tryptophan has served here both as the chiral auxiliary and the starting material for the synthesis of the common intermediate, (+)-vellosimine (13). This alkaloid was available in enantiospecific fashion in seven reaction vessels in 27% overall yield from d-(+)-trytophan methyl ester (14) via a combination of the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction, Dieckmann cyclization, and a stereocontrolled intramolecular enolate-driven palladium-mediated cross-coupling reaction. A new process for this stereocontrolled intramolecular cross-coupling has been developed via a copper-mediated process. The initial results of this investigation indicated that an enolate-driven palladium-mediated cross-coupling reaction can be accomplished by a copper-mediated process which is less expensive and much easier to work up. An enantiospecific total synthesis of (+)-polyneuridine aldehyde (6), which has been proposed as an important biogenetic intermediate in the biosynthesis of quebrachidine (2), was then accomplished in an overall yield of 14.1% in 13 reaction vessels from d-(+)-tryptophan methyl ester (14). Aldehyde 13 was protected as the N(a)-Boc aldehyde 32 and then converted into the prochiral C(16)-quaternary diol 12 via the practical Tollens' reaction and deprotection. The DDQ-mediated oxidative cyclization and TFA/Et(3)SiH reductive cleavage served as protection/deprotection steps to provide a versatile entry into the three alkaloids polyneuridine aldehyde (6), polyneuridine (8), and macusine A (9) from the quarternary diol 12. The oxidation of the 16-hydroxymethyl group present in the axial position was achieved with the Corey-Kim reagent to provide the desired beta-axial aldehydes, polyneuridine aldehyde (6), and 16-epivellosimine (7) with 100% diastereoselectivity.

This review describes the most recent synthetic routes directed toward the construction of structurally complex indole alkaloids, many syntheses of which contain the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction as a key stereochemical step. A kinetic and conformational study of the epimerization of cis 1,2,3-trisubstituted tetrahydro-beta-carbolines into their trans counterparts is described, because this is key to complete asymmetric induction in the Pictet-Spengler reaction. A mechanistic study of the enzyme-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler reaction is also included. The total synthesis of the opioid agonist mitragynine, as well as corynantheidol and the oxindole alstonisine is presented. With regard to bisindole alkaloids, the total synthesis of the antileishmanial bisindoles accedinisine and N'-demethylaccedinisne is described.

Tryprostatin A is an inhibitor of breast cancer resistance protein, consequently a series of structure-activity studies on the cell cycle inhibitory effects of tryprostatin A analogues as potential antitumor antimitotic agents have been carried out. These analogues were assayed for their growth inhibition properties and their ability to perturb the cell cycle in tsFT210 cells. SAR studies resulted in the identification of the essential structural features required for cytotoxic activity. The absolute configuration L-Tyr-L-pro in the diketopiperazine ring along with the presence of the 6-methoxy substituent on the indole moiety of 1 was shown to be essential for dual inhibition of topoisomerase II and tubulin polymerization. Biological evaluation also indicated the presence of the 2-isoprenyl moiety on the indole scaffold of 1 was essential for potent inhibition of cell proliferation. Substitution of the indole N(a)-H in 1 with various alkyl or aryl groups, incorporation of various L-amino acids into the diketopiperazine ring in place of L-proline, and substitution of the 6-methoxy group in 1 with other functionality provided active analogues. The nature of the substituents present on the indole N(a)-H or the indole C-2 position influenced the mechanism of action of these analogues. Analogues 68 (IC(50)=10 microM) and 67 (IC(50)=19 microM) were 7-fold and 3.5-fold more potent, respectively, than 1 (IC(50)=68 microM) in the inhibition of the growth of tsFT210 cells. Diastereomer-2 of tryprostatin B 8 was a potent inhibitor of the growth of three human carcinoma cell lines: H520 (IC(50)=11.9 microM), MCF-7 (IC(50)=17.0 microM) and PC-3 (IC(50)=11.1 microM) and was equipotent with etoposide, a clinically used anticancer agent. Isothiocyanate analogue 71 and 6-azido analogue 72 were as potent as 1 in the tsFT210 cell proliferation and may be useful tools in labeling BCRP.

An enantiospecific method for the synthesis of 4-methoxytryptophan has been developed via a regiospecific Larock heteroannulation and employed for the first total syntheses of 9-methoxygeissoschizol and 9-methoxy-Nb-methylgeissoschizol, as well as the total synthesis of the opioid agonistic alkaloid mitragynine. The asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction and a Ni(COD)2-mediated cyclization served as key steps.

[reaction: see text] A palladium-catalyzed domino sequence was developed to rapidly construct the core structure of neosarpagine and other quinuclidine-related alkaloids. The cyclization of ketone 11 to ethylidene 4 with Pd(dba)2, DPEphos, LiHMDS, and ZnCl2 in THF represents a new domino process wherein a nonstabilized enolate served as a nucleophile.

The first enantiospecific total synthesis of the alkaloids 16-epi-vellosimine (1), (+)-polyneuridine (2), (+)-polyneuridine aldehyde (3), and macusine A (4) is reported. The key oxidation was accomplished with the Corey-Kim reagent to provide the important biogenetic intermediates, 16-epi-vellosimine (1) and polyneuridine aldehyde (3), the latter of which is required for the conversion of the sarpagan skeleton into the ajmalan system in the biosynthesis of quebrachidine. [reaction: see text].

An intramolecular Pd-catalyzed alpha-vinylation process is described. This cyclization has been employed for the enantiospecific total synthesis of gram quantities of both (+)-macroline 3 and the macroline equivalent 4. This sequence is compared to the enolate-driven cross-coupling process. The intermediate 4 was also converted into (-)-alstonerine 1 via modification of an intramolecular Tsuji-Wacker oxidation. This sequence resulted in an improved total synthesis of (-)-talcarpine 5 and (-)-anhydromacrosalhine-methine 6 as well.

[reaction: see text] The first enantiospecific, regiospecific total synthesis of the enantiomers of N(a)-methylpericyclivine and N(a)-methylakuammidine as well as the ring-A oxygenated natural products (+)-10-methoxy N(a)-methylpericyclivine and 10-hydroxy N(a)-methylpericyclivine was achieved. The lactones (see 19, 22, and 25) are key to the formation of the beta-axial methyl ester moiety.

[structures: see text] The enantiospecific synthesis of 7-methoxy-D-tryptophan ethyl ester was completed by combination of the Larock heteroannulation process with a Schöllkopf-based chiral auxiliary in good yield. This ester was then employed in the first regiospecific, stereospecific total synthesis of (+)-12-methoxy-N(a)-methylvellosimine, (+)-12-methoxyaffinisine, (-)-fuchsiaefoline, and 12-methoxy-N(b)-methylvoachalotine in excellent overall yield. The asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction and enolate-driven palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling processes served as key steps. The quaternary center at C16 of 12-methoxy-N(b)-methylvoachalotine was established via the Tollens reaction between (+)-12-methoxy-N(a)-methylvellosimine and formaldehyde to form diol 17. The two prochiral primary alcohols in diol 17 were differentiated by the oxidative cyclization(DDQ) of the hydroxyl group at the axial position of 17 with the benzylic postion at [C6] to form a cyclic ether [C6-O17]. After oxidative formation of the alpha-ester at C16, the ether bond was reductively cleaved with TFA/Et3SiH in high yield. The DDQ-mediated oxidative cyclization and TFA/Et3SiH reductive cleavage served as protection/deprotection steps in order to provide a versatile entry into the voachalotine alkaloids.

[structures: see text] The highly convergent stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-vincamajinine (7), (-)-11-methoxy-17-epivincamajine (9), and the oxygen-bridged (+)-dehydrovoachalotine (22) are described. Key steps in the synthesis of 7 and 9 involved the stereospecific enolate-driven palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction, a Tollens reaction, an acid-assisted intramolecular cyclization to form the C(7)-C(17) quaternary center, and two stereospecific reductions. The efficiency of this strategy is illustrated by the completion of the synthesis of 7 and 9 in 16 [from d-(+)-tryptophan methyl ester 17] and 17 (from the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 27) reaction vessels, respectively. This constitutes the first total synthesis of these indole alkaloids and provides the first regiospecific route to 11-methoxy-substituted ajmaline/vincamajine-related alkaloids. The synthesis of 22 required a novel DDQ-mediated cyclization to furnish the C(6)-O(17) bond, executed in stereospecific fashion. Completion of these syntheses illustrates a concise and versatile strategy for the synthesis of vincamajine-related alkaloids, which has also been employed to prepare the related compounds quebrachidine diol (53), vincamajine diol (56), and vincarinol (59).

The first total syntheses of (-)-vincamajinine (5) (from Na-methyl-d-tryptophan methyl ester) and (-)-11-methoxy-17-epivincamajine (6) (from Na-methyl-6-methoxy-d-tryptophan ethyl ester) are described. The syntheses have been completed in a highly stereocontrolled manner (>98% ee). Key steps included the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction, enolate-mediated palladium cross-coupling reaction, and acid-catalyzed formation of the C(7)-C(17) bond. In addition, the triethylsilane/TFA-mediated incorporation of the 2alpha-H (11 to 12) and the borohydride generation of the C(17) hydroxyl function (R) were also stereospecific. The unique highly conjested carbon skeletons of the two alkaloids were completed in a concise manner and in regiospecific fashion.

The first total synthesis of (+)-Na-methyl-16-epipericyclivine (9) was completed [from d-(+)-tryptophan methyl ester] in an overall yield of 42% (eight reaction vessels). The optical rotation [[alpha]D +22.8 (c 0.50, CHCl3)] obtained on this material confirmed that the reported optical rotation [[alpha]D 0 (c 0.50, CHCl3)]47 was biogenetically unreasonable. The total syntheses of (+)-vellosimine, (+)-normacusine B, (-)-alkaloid Q3, (-)-panarine, and (+)-Na-methylvellosimine are also described. Moreover, a mixed sample (1:1) of synthetic (-)-panarine and natural (-)-panarine yielded only one set of signals in the 13C NMR; this indicated that the two compounds are identical and further confirmed the correct configuration of (+)-vellosimine, (+)-normacusine B, and (-)-alkaloid Q3. In this approach, the key templates, (-)-Na-H,Nb-benzyltetracyclic ketone 15a and (-)-Na-methyl,Nb-benzyltetracyclic ketone 43 were synthesized on multihundred gram scale by the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction and a stereocontrolled Dieckmann cyclization via improved sequences. An intramolecular palladium (enolate-mediated) coupling reaction was employed to introduce the C(19)-C(20) E-ethylidene function in the sarpagine alkaloids for the first time in stereospecific fashion.

The first stereospecific, enantiospecific total synthesis of the ring-A oxygenated sarpagine indole alkaloids (+)-N(a)-methylsarpagine (8), (+)-majvinine (14), and (+)-10-methoxyaffinisine (49), as well as the first total synthesis of the Alstonia bisindole alkaloid macralstonidine (9), has been accomplished. This approach employed the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary for the stereospecific construction of the desired d-(+)-tryptophan unit required for the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction. In addition, the strategy was doubly convergent for the enolate-mediated Pd(0) coupling process and the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction can be employed to synthesize both macroline (2) and N(a)-methylsarpagine (8), the coupling of which provides macralstonidine (9). This approach to ring-A substituted alkoxyindole alkaloids should find wide application for the synthesis of other alkaloids for it is stereospecific and either enantiomer can be prepared with ease.

An efficient strategy is described for the total synthesis of the sarpagine-related indole alkaloids (-)-(E)16-epiaffinisine (1), (+)-(E)16-epinormacusine B (2), and (+)-dehydro-16-epiaffinisine (4). A key step employed the chemospecific and regiospecific hydroboration/oxidation at C(16)-C(17); this method has also resulted in the synthesis of (+)-dehydro-16-epinormacusine B (5). The oxy-anion Cope rearrangement followed by protonation of the enolate that resulted under conditions of kinetic control has been employed to generate the key asymmetric centers at C(15), C(16), and C(20) in alkaloid G (7) in a highly stereocontrolled fashion (>43:1). Conditions that favor control of the sarpagine stereochemistry at C(16) vs the epimeric ajmaline configuration at the same stereocenter have been determined. The formation of the required cyclic ether in 4, 5, and 7 was realized with complete control from the top face on treatment of the corresponding alcohols with DDQ/THF or DDQ/aq THF in excellent yields.

Tryprostatin A 1 and B 2 are indole alkaloid-based fungal products that act in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Tryprostatin A and B as well as their two enantiomers and four diastereomers have been synthesized via a common strategy. As a measure of cytotoxicity, these eight stereoisomers were assayed for their growth inhibitory properties in human breast, prostate, and lung cancer cell lines. The ability of the tryprostatins and the tryprostatin stereoisomers to induce topoisomerase II-mediated DNA relaxation or to inhibit tubulin polymerization was also examined. Although none of the stereoisomers were significantly active in topoisomerase II- or tubulin-based assays, ds2-try B 11 was found to exhibit a cytotoxicity profile more potent than etoposide 3 in the human cancer cell lines examined. In addition, ds2-try B 11 is comprised of an L-tryptophan derivative coupled to a D-proline moiety, the latter stereochemistry of which may enhance the activity of 11 and potential analogues in vivo.

Depicted in the following is the proof of concept, which is important to illustrate the full potential of the ambidextrous Pictet–Spengler (P-S) reaction. Previously, both d -tryptophan and l -tryptophan were employed to synthesize the key intermediates toward the natural enantiomers of C-19 methyl-substituted alkaloids. Now the enantiomeric series of the same key intermediates could also be synthesized from both d - or l -tryptophan in high yield and optical purity via this P-S/Dieckmann protocol. One can make either the natural or the unnatural alkaloids from either of the chiral starting amino acid esters, stereo- and enantiospecifically for biological screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Extension of the asymmetric Pictet–Spengler reaction to bulkier Nb‐alkylated tryptophan derivatives resulted in an improved stereospecific access to the key bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core of bioactive C‐19 methyl substituted sarpagine/macroline/ajmaline indole alkaloids with excellent diastereoselectivity by internal asymmetric induction. Complete stereocontrol of the C‐19 methyl function in either the α‐ or β‐configuration was achieved, which enables the total synthesis of any member from this group of thirty alkaloids. We report herein, the total synthesis of macrocarpines (A‐C) 1–3, talcarpine 4, N(4)‐methyl‐N(4),21‐secotalpinine 5, dihydroperaksine 8 and deoxyperaksine 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the synthesis of ajmaline, an indole alkaloid. Definition of ajmaline; Function of ajmaline; Isolation of the Rauwolfia serpentina's plant cell cultures.

The highly convergent stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-vincamajinine (7), (-)-11-methoxy-17-epivincamajine (9), and the oxygen-bridged (+)-dehydrovoachalotine (22) are described. Key steps in the synthesis of 7 and 9 involved the stereospecific enolate-driven palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction, a Tollens reaction, an acid-assisted intramolecular cyclization to form the C(7)-C(17) quaternary center, and two stereospecific reductions. The efficiency of this strategy is illustrated by the completion of the synthesis of 7 and 9 in 16 [from D-(+)-tryptophan methyl ester 17] and 17 (from the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 27) reaction vessels, respectively. This constitutes the first total synthesis of these indole alkaloids and provides the first regiospecific route to 11-methoxy-substituted ajmaline/vincamajine-related alkaloids. The synthesis of 22 required a novel DDQ-mediated cyclization to furnish the C(6)-O(17) bond, executed in stereospecific fashion. Completion of these syntheses illustrates a concise and versatile strategy for the synthesis of vincamajine-related alkaloids, which has also been employed to prepare the related compounds quebrachidine diol (53), vincamajine diol (56), and vincarinol (59). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indole alkaloid natural products are an important source of biologically active compounds that includes the potential for development of novel antiprotozoal drugs. (+)-Alstomacroline, a bisindole alkaloid, was isolated from the root bark of A. macrophylla collected in Thailand and exhibited activity against malaria parasites. Bisindole alkaloid (-)-11-methoxy-10-(11-vincorinyl)-17-epivincamajine was isolated in 1992 from the leaves of Tonduzia pettieri, accompanied by the monomeric base (-)-1 1-methoxy-17-epivincamajine (6). The latter two alkaloids have not been evaluated for antimalarial activity to date. (+)-Quebrachidine and (-)-vincamajine were initially isolated in 1963 and have since been obtained from many species of Alstonia.

Herein, the full details of the synthesis of the 9-methoxy-substituted Corynanthe indole alkaloids mitragynine (1), 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3), and 9-methoxy-Nb-methylgeissoschizol (4) are described. Initially, an efficient synthetic route to the optically active 4-methoxytryptophan ethyl ester 20 on a multigram scale was developed via a Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis. The ethyl ester of D-4- methoxytryptophan 20 was obtained with a radical-mediated regioselective bromination of indoline 12 serving as a key step. Alternatively, the key 4-methoxytryptophan intermediate 22 could be synthesized by the Larock heteroannulation of aryl iodide 10b with the internal alkyne 21a. The use of the Boc-protected aniline 10b was crucial to the success of this heteroannulation. The α,β-unsaturated ester 6 was synthesized via the Pictet-Spengler reaction as the pivotal step. This was followed by a Ni(COD)2-mediated cyclization to set up the stereocenter at C-15. The benzyloxy group in 31 was removed to provide the intermediate ester 5. This chiral tetracyclic ester 5 was employed to accomplish the first total synthesis of 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) and 9-methoxy-Nb-methylgeissoschizol (4) as well as the opioid agonistic indole alkaloid mitragynine (1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first total synthesis of (+)-N[sub a]-methyl-16-epipericyclivine (9) was completed [from D-(+)tryptophan methyl ester] in an overall yield of 42% (eight reaction vessels). The optical rotation [[α][sub D] +22.8 (c 0.50, CHCl[sub 3])] obtained on this material confirmed that the reported optical rotation [[α][sub D] 0 (c 0.50, CHCl[sub 3])][sup 47] was biogenetically unreasonable. The total syntheses of (+)-vellosimine, (+)-normacusine B, (-)-alkaloid Q[sub 3], (-)-panarine, and (+)-N[sub a]-methylvellosimine are also described. Moreover, a mixed sample (1:1) of synthetic (-)-panarine and natural (-)-panarine yielded only one set of signals in the [sup 13]C NMR; this indicated that the two compounds are identical and further confirmed the correct configuration of (+)-vellosimine, (+)-normacusine B, and (-)-alkaloid Q[sub 3]. In this approach, the key templates, (-)-N[sub a]-H,N[sub b]-benzyltetracyclic ketone 15a and (-)-N[sub a]-methyl,N[sub b]benzyltetracyclic ketone 43 were synthesized on multihundred gram scale by the asymmetric PictetSpengler reaction and a stereocontrolled Dieckmann cyclization via improved sequences. An intramolecular palladium (enolate-mediated) coupling reaction was employed to introduce the C(19)-C(20) E-ethylidene function in the sarpagine alkaloids for the first time in stereospecific fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient strategy is described for the total synthesis of the sarpagine-related indole alkaloids (-)-(E)16-epiaffinisine (1), (+)-(E)16-epinormacusine B (2), and (+)-dehydro-16-epiaffinisine (4). A key step employed the chemospecific and regiospecific hydroboration/oxidation at C(16)-C(17); this method has also resulted in the synthesis of (+)-dehydro-16-epinormacusine B (5). The oxy-anion Cope rearrangement followed by protonation of the enolate that resulted under conditions of kinetic control has been employed to generate the key asymmetric centers at C(15), C(16), and C(20) in alkaloid G (7) in a highly stereocontrolled fashion (>43:1). Conditions that favor control of the sarpagine stereochemistry at C(16) vs the epimeric jamaline configuration at the same stereocenter have been determined. The formation of the required cyclic ether in 4, 5, and 7 was realized with complete control from the top face on treatment of the corresponding alcohols with DDQ/THF or DDQ/aq THF in excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total synthesis of the enantiomer 3En of macroline 3 was completed (from l-tryptophan methyl ester 6) in an overall yield of 12.3% (11 isolated intermediates). The corresponding macroline equivalent 18 was prepared in 14.3% yield. This work provides, for the first time, an opportunity to synthesize mismatched bisindole alkaloids for studies on the mechanism of action of Alstonia antimalarial alkaloids at the receptor level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]