Bioinspired Collective Total Synthesis of (±)-Rhynchines A–E

Abstract

Herein, we present the first racemic total synthesis of the structurally complex monoterpene indole alkaloids rhynchines A−E, starting from commercially available methyl nicotinate and 3-(2-bromoethyl)-1H-indole. The success of our synthesis is attributed to the utilization of a bioinspired synthetic strategy, which facilitated the rapid construction of the pentacyclic core skeleton of the target molecules through biomimetic skeletal rearrangement and late-stage C−H oxidative cyclization. Additionally, silica-gel-promoted tautomerization played a crucial role as a strategic element in the chemical synthesis of rhynchines A and B.