Total synthesis of (±)-Vertine with Z-selective RCM as a key stepElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and characterization data for all new compounds along with copies of 1H and 13C NMR spectra. CCDC 780761. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c0cc01885f

A concise total synthesis of the strained pentacyclic alkaloid (±)-Vertine has been achieved in eleven steps with the key steps being pelletierine condensation, Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, and ring-closing metathesis. A first total synthesis of the strained pentacyclic alkaloid (±)-Vertine has been achieved in eleven steps with the key steps being pelletierine condensation, Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, and Z-selective ring-closing metathesis.