Concise and highly convergent syntheses of antifungal marine bis(indole) alkaloids,
hamacanthin A and trans-2,5-bis(3′-indolyl)piperazine is described. The total synthesis of hamacanthin A
is accomplished via the oxidative amidation–chemoselective heterocycloannulation
of 2,2-dibromo-1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanone with 1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine. The reduction of desbromo hamacanthin with aluminum
borohydride afforded the alkaloid trans-2,5-bis(3′-indolyl)piperazine. Two novel and convenient protocols for the synthesis
of indolyl-1,2-diaminoethane are also developed in moderate to good yields.
Key words
bis(indole) alkaloids - hamacanthin A -
trans-2,5-bis(3′-indolyl)piperazine - oxidative amidation - regioselective heterocycloannulation