Construction of C2-indolyl-quaternary centers by branch-selective allylation: enabling concise total synthesis of the (±)-mersicarpine alkaloid

Abstract

Herein we report a branch-selective allylation strategy for accessing C2-indolyl-all-carbon quaternary centers using allylboronic acids. This approach boasts broad functional group tolerance, scalability, and relies on easily accessible allyl alcohol precursors. Importantly, the C3-position of the indole remains free, offering a handle for further synthetic refinement. Mechanistic pathways, corroborated by density functional theory (DFT), suggest the involvement of an indolenine intermediate and a Zimmerman–Traxler-like transition state during allylboration. Demonstrating its efficacy, the method was applied to the total synthesis of the (±)-mersicarpine alkaloid and enabled formal synthesis of additional alkaloids, such as (±)-scholarisine G, (±)-melodinine E, and (±)-leuconoxine.