Intramolecular alkyllithium additions to lactams; a synthesis of 2,3,9,9a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles (pyrrolo[1,2-a]indolemnes) related to mitomycins
Abstract
Cyclisation of 5, 8, 10a and 10bvia their lithium derivatives followed by in situ reduction with lithium aluminium hydride gives pyrroloindolenines 2 and 9 and pyridinoindolenines 11a and 11b, respectively.