A synthetic strategy using Witkopʹs pyrroloindole for (−)-debromoflustramine B, (+)-ent-debromoflustramine B and (+)-ent-debromoflustramide B

While prenylation of (−)-Witkopʹs pyrroloindole (2), secured from l-tryptophan under standard N-alkylation conditions, led to a ca. 1:1 diastereoisomeric mixture of two C3a-alkylated indolenines 3 and 4, use of phase-transfer conditions altered this to ca. 1:2. Reduction followed by N-prenylation of the resulting secondary amines gave C,N-dialkylated products. The derived separable diastereoisomeric (−)- and (+)-Barton esters 19a and 19b were then converted into (−)-debromoflustramine B and (+)-ent-debromoflustramine B, respectively. A novel reaction involving oxygen and the carbanion derived from Barton ester 19b led to (+)-ent-debromoflustramide B. Treatment of N8-prenylated Witkopʹs pyrroloindole 5 with Lewis acid (BF3·Et2O) uncovered a new clean intramolecular cyclisation involving the prenyl unit.