Total Synthesis of (-)-Anominine

The first total synthesis of anominine has been achieved, and the absolute configuration of the product has been determined. The key features include the development of a new, highly efficient organocatalyzed method for the asymmetric synthesis of Wieland-Miescher ketone building blocks, an unusual selenoxide [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, and a ZrCl4-catalyzed indole coupling as well as several chemoselective transformations controlled by the structurally congested nature of the bicyclic core.