Total Synthesis of (-)-Ardeemin

Total synthesis of potent anti-MDR indole alkaloids (-)-ardeemin and its N-acyl analogues has been accomplished from L-tryptophan with about 2% overall yield in 20 steps. The key step depended on the newly developed three-step one-pot cascade reaction of 7 with diazoester 8 via intermolecular cyclopropanation, ring opening, and ring closure to assemble the chiral 3-substituted hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole 4a.