Modular Total Synthesis of Protein Kinase C Activator (−)-Indolactam V

A concise, eight-step total synthesis of (−)-indolactam V, a nanomolar agonist of protein kinase C, is reported. The synthesis relies upon an efficient copper-catalyzed amino acid arylation to establish the indole C4–nitrogen bond. This cross-coupling method is applicable to a range of hydrophobic amino acids, providing a platform for further diversification of indolactam alkaloid scaffolds and studies on their potent biological activity.