A biomimetic synthesis of (−)-N(a)-methylervitsine
Abstract
A straightforward, biomimetic synthesis of (−)-N(a)-methylervitsine involving the nucleophilic addition of the enolate derived from 2-acetylindole 1 to chiral, non-racemic pyridinium salt 2, followed by (Me2N+CH2) I– induced cyclization of the resultant 1,4-dihydropyridine, with subsequent elaboration of the exocyclic 16-methylene and 20E-ethylidene substituents, is reported.