A novel palladium-catalyzed synthesis of β-carbolines: application in total synthesis of naturally occurring alkaloids

Two naturally occurring β-carbolines, 6-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline and bauerine A, have been prepared using a Stille-type coupling, followed by a palladium-phosphine catalyzed N-heteroannulation as the key steps.