Intramolecular palladium-catalyzed cyclization of methyl 1-(2- bromobenzyl)indole-2-carboxylates: Synthesis of pratosine and hippadine

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)00687-5

Palladium-catalyzed cyclization of methyl 1-(2-bromo-4,5-dimethoxy- benzyl)indole-2-carboxylate in the presence of potassium acetate in hot 1,4- dioxane gave a 7H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-de]phenanthridine derivative, which was converted to pratosine in four steps.