Total synthesis of Akuammiline alkaloid (-)-vincorine via intramolecular oxidative coupling.

An asymmetric total synthesis of the Akuammiline alkaloid (-)-vincorine (18 steps from 5-methoxytryptamine, 5% overall yield) is described. The key steps include Pd-catalyzed direct C-H functionalization of indole derivatives, organocatalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to alkylidene malonates, and intramolecular oxidative coupling between indole and malonate moieties.