Concise synthesis of the CDE ring system of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids using carbophilic Lewis acid-catalyzed hydroamidation and oxidative Friedel-Crafts cyclization

The development of a concise synthesis of the CDE ring system of the tetrahydroisoquinoline antitumor alkaloids such as saframycins, renieramycins, and ecteinascidins is reported. The key steps in the reaction include Au(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamidation and NBS-mediated oxidative Friedel-Crafts cyclization.