Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry (Jun 2023)

Photoredox catalysis enabling decarboxylative radical cyclization of γ,γ-dimethylallyltryptophan (DMAT) derivatives: formal synthesis of 6,7-secoagroclavine

  • Alessio Regni,
  • Francesca Bartoccini,
  • Giovanni Piersanti

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.19.70
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 918 – 927

Abstract

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An unusual photoredox-catalyzed radical decarboxylative cyclization cascade reaction of γ,γ-dimethylallyltryptophan (DMAT) derivatives containing unactivated alkene moieties has been developed, providing green and efficient access to various six-, seven-, and eight-membered ring 3,4-fused tricyclic indoles. This type of cyclization, which was hitherto very difficult to comprehend in ergot biosynthesis and to accomplish by more conventional procedures, enables the synthesis of ergot alkaloid precursors. In addition, this work describes a mild, environmentally friendly method to activate, reductively and oxidatively, natural carboxylic acids for decarboxylative C–C bond formation by exploiting the same photocatalyst.

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