Asymmetric synthesis of tetracyclic substructures of Strychnos indole alkaloids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(03)00251-9

The addition of the enolate of methyl 1-methyl-2-indoleacetate 1 and lithium 2-(lithiomethyl)indole-1-carboxylate 5 to pyridines and N-alkylpyridinium salts bearing a chiral auxiliary at the 3-position (tolylsulfinyl, acyl iron complexes, bornane-10,2-sultam), with subsequent acid cyclization of the resulting dihydropyridines, is investigated.