Intramolecular Diels-Alder Cycloaddition/Rearrangement Cascade of an Amidofuran Derivative for the Synthesis of (±)-Minfiensine

An efficient synthesis of (+/-)-minfiensine has been accomplished employing an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade of an amidofuran derivative. Thermal reorganization of the Initially formed [4 + 2]-cycloadduct affords the critical tetrahydroiminoethanocarbazole skeleton of the alkaloid in high yield.