Biomimetic synthesis of the antimalarial flindersial alkaloids

Enantioselective hydroacylation of N-vinylindole-2-carboxaldehydes

We report rhodium-catalyzed hydroacylations of N-vinylindole-2-carboxaldehydes that form chiral, non-racemic 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-1-ones in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities.

Biomimetic synthesis and studies toward enantioselective synthesis of flindersial alkaloids

A strategy allowing both stereocontrol and control over structural isomer formation has been defined for the antimalarial flindersial alkaloids. The recently reported flinderoles were demonstrated to be derived from the natural product borrerine. The structural isomers of flinderoles, the borreverines, were also produced in vitro along with the flinderoles through the dimerization of borrerine in acidic conditions. This result is thought to replicate the biosynthesis of these compounds. Flinderoles A, B, and C, desmethylflinderole C, isoborreverine, and dimethylisoborreverine can each be synthesized in three steps from tryptamine. Furthermore, progress toward a concise enantioselective synthesis of flinderoles A, B, and C is described. This work includes enantioselective conjugate addition to an unprotected indole-appended enone.