Elsevier

Tetrahedron Letters

Volume 35, Issue 30, 25 July 1994, Pages 5413-5416
Tetrahedron Letters

The synthesis of roeharmine and (−)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroroeharmine

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Abstract

The total synthesis of roeharmine 1 as well as an enantiospecific synthesis of (−)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroroeharmine 2 has been achieved via the Pictet-Spengler reaction as a key step. The optical rotation of synthetic (−)-2 was found to be higher than that reported for the natural product. A possible mechanism for the racemization of 2 upon exposure to acid has been proposed and serves as a warning to alkaloid chemists who isolate ring-A alkoxylated indole alkaloids under acidic conditions.

The total synthesis of roeharmine 1 as well as an enantiospecific synthesis of (-)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroroeharmine 2 has been achieved via the Pictet-Spengler reaction. The optical rotation of synthetic (-)-2 was found to be higher than that reported for the natural product. A possible mechanism for the racemization of 2 upon exposure to acid has been proposed.

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