A novel total synthesis of the bioactive poly-substituted carbazole alkaloid carbazomadurin A

A new total synthesis of the neuronal cell-protecting carbazole alkaloid carbazomadurin A is described. The key step was an allene-mediated electrocyclic reaction involving an indole [b]-bond for the construction of a highly substituted carbazole ring. The E-alkenyl side chain at the C1 position of carbazole was introduced between O-triflate and alkenyl pinacol borate using the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction. SEM groups were cleaved with TBAF and the formyl group was reduced to provide carbazomadurin A.