Insights into Stereoselectivity Switch in Michael Addition-Initiated Tandem Mannich Cyclizations and Their Extension from Enamines to Vinyl Ethers.

Both cis- and trans- tetracyclic spiroindolines are the core of many important biologically active indole alkaloids, but the divergent synthesis of these important motifs is largely hampered by the limited stereoselectivity control. A facile stereoinversion protocol is reported here in Michael addition-initiated tandem Mannich cyclizations for constructing tetracyclic spiroindolines, providing an easy access to two diastereoisomeric cores of monoterpene indole alkaloids with high selectivity. The mechanistic studies including in situ NMR experiments, control experiments, and DFT calculations reveal that the reaction undergoes a unique retro-Mannich/re-Mannich rearrangement including a C-C bond cleavage that is very rare for a saturated six-membered carbocycle. Insights into the stereoinversion process have been uncovered, and the major effects were determined to be the electronic properties of N-protecting groups of the indole with the aid of Lewis acid catalysts. By understanding these insights, the stereoselectivity switching strategy is also smoothly applied from enamine substrates to vinyl ether substrates, which are enriched greatly for the divergent synthesis and stereocontrol of monoterpene indole alkaloids. The current reaction also proves to be very practical and was successfully applied to the gram-scale total synthesis of strychnine and deethylibophyllidine in short routes.

Allenamide-Initiated Cascade [2+2+2] Annulation Enabling the Divergent Total Synthesis of (-)-Deoxoapodine, (-)-Kopsifoline†D and (±)-Melotenine†A.

A facile method for the construction of the aspidosperma core from indoles functionalized with a nonterminal N-allenamide and dimethyl methylenemalonate is described. Various polysubstituted tetracyclic spiroindolines (27 examples) were afforded in good yields (61-90 %) with >99/1 dr and >99/1 Z/E selectivity under mild conditions. The annulation reaction provides straightforward access to the tetracyclic spiroindoline skeleton with substituents at the C5 position occurring in many natural products. As an application of this reaction, the total synthesis of three important natural products, (-)-deoxoapodine, (-)-kopsifoline D and (±)-melotenine A, was possible in short routes from tryptamine.

Selectivity Switch in a Rhodium(II) Carbene Triggered Cyclopentannulation: Divergent Access to Three Polycyclic Indolines.

A selectivity switch in a RhII /carbene-triggered cyclopentannulation with catalytic InCl3 is reported for the first time, affording both diastereomers of the fused spiroindolines and an unusual bridged tetracyclic indoline in high yields with excellent selectivities. Mechanistic studies indicate an intramolecular annulation of the indole with an in situ formed aminocyclopropane. The stepwise thermal conversions from the kinetic spiroindoline to the metastable bridged indoline, and then to the thermodynamic spiroindoline, involving a ring-opening rearrangement of a cyclopentane, is crucial for selectivity control.

Access to Hexahydrocarbazoles: The Thorpe-Ingold Effects of the Ligand on Enantioselectivity.

A novel cyclization reaction of methylenemalonate with indoles is reported, and it provides efficient access to a variety of hexahydrocarbazoles. The enantioselective version was realized by a finely tuned ligand/CuII catalyst. The optically active hexahydrocarbazoles contain three quaternary carbon centers and are obtained in up to 99 % yield with greater than 99:1 d.r. and up to greater than 99 % ee. This reaction can be carried out on gram scale and stereoselective transformation of the product led to the core structure of a series of alkaloids from Kopsia plants.