Mercuric acetate cyclization of 4-(arylmethyl)piperidines: Synthesis of indolo[2,3-g]morphans (tetracyclic ring system of strychnos indole alkaloids) and 7,8-benzomorphans

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)96488-9

A new synthetic route to indolo[2,3-g]morphans and 7,8-benzomorphans is reported. The key step in these syntheses is the mercuric acetate oxidation of appropriate 2-(4-piperidyl-methyl)indoles or 4-benzylpiperidines, respectively. An alternative synthetic