Total Synthesis of the Biscarbazole Alkaloids MurrafolineA-D by a Domino Sonogashira Coupling/Claisen Rearrangement/Electrocyclization Reaction

Why take things one step at a time? Aryl-pyran-linked biscarbazole alkaloids of the murrafoline group (see crystal structure of murrafolineA; dark gray: C, red: O, blue: N) were accessed readily by a novel domino reaction sequence involving Sonogashira coupling, a Claisen rearrangement, and electrocyclization. The one-pot procedure enables the straightforward synthesis of these structurally challenging alkaloids in only a few steps.