Synthesis of rebeccamycin and 11-dechlororebeccamycin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo982277b

Glycosylated 7-chloroindole-3-acetamide 9, prepared in four steps and 26% yield from 7-chloroindole (1), was condensed with methyl 7-chloroindole- 3-glyoxylate 11 and methyl indole-3-glyoxylate 12 to provide bisindolylmaleimides 7 and 8 in 86% and 84% yield, respectively. Oxidation of 7 and 8 followed by debenzylation provided a new approach to the synthesis of rebeccamycin and completed for the first time a synthesis of 11- dechlororebeccamycin.