General Approach to the Total Synthesis of 9-Methoxy Substituted Indole Alkaloids: Synthesis of Mitragynine, as well as 9-Methoxygeissoschizol and 9-Methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol

Abstract

Herein the full details of the synthesis of the 9-methoxy-substituted Corynanthe indole alkaloids mitragynine (1), 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) and 9-methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol (4) are described. Initially an efficient synthetic route to the optically active 4-methoxytryptophan ethyl ester 20 on a multigram scale was developed via a Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis. The ethyl ester of (D)-4-methoxytryptophan 20 was obtained with a radical-mediated regioselective bromination of indoline 12 serving as a key step. Alternatively, the key 4-methoxytryptophan intermediate 22 could be synthesized by the Larock heteroannulation of aryl iodide 10b with the internal alkyne 21a. The use of the Boc protected aniline 10b was crucial to the success of this heteroannulation. The α,β-unsaturated ester 6 was synthesized via the Pictet-Spengler reaction as the pivotal step. This was followed by a Ni(COD)₂ mediated cyclization to set up the stereocenter at C-15. The benzyloxy group in 31 was removed to provide the intermediate ester 5. This chiral tetracyclic ester 5 was employed to accomplish the first total synthesis of 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) and 9-methoxy-N_b-methylgeisso-schizol (4) as well as the opioid agonistic indole alkaloid mitragynine (1).

Introduction

Kratom is the common name of Mitragyne speciosa Korth, a plant native to Thailand, which has often been used as an opium substitute administrated by smoking, chewing or drinking a broth form of the kratom leaves. The alkaloid content of the leaves of Mitragyne speciosa is about 0.5%, about half of which is comprised of mitragynine (1). Although the structure determination of 1 has a rich history,^1-4 the actual structure of 1 was unambiguously confirmed in 1964 when the X-ray crystal structure of mitragynine hydroiodide salt was completed by Zacharias.⁵ The first formal study of the pharmacology of mitragynine (1) indicated that it was a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant.^6,7 Subsequent in vivo and in vitro studies indicated mitragynine primarily acted on μ-opioid receptors.^8,9 Although mitragynine was the major alkaloid in the extract of Mitragyne speciosa, it was not as active as the extract of Mitragyne speciosa. This interesting behavior prompted a careful study and led to the discovery of another component, 7-hydroxymitragynine (2).^10,11 This alkaloid 2 could also be readily obtained by the oxidation of mitragynine with phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA).¹² This hydroxyl-substituted alkaloid was 46- and 17-fold higher in activity than mitragynine and morphine, respectively, on twitch contraction induced by electrical stimulation in the guinea-pig ileum.^13,14 In vitro receptor binding studies revealed that 7-hydroxymitragynine (2) bound preferentially to μ-opioid receptors, although it also interacted with δ, and κ receptors, albeit less potently.

Interestingly, the demethoxy analogue of mitragynine, corynantheidine, did not exhibit opioid agonistic activity but reversed the morphine-inhibited twitch contraction. Therefore, corynantheidine is an opioid receptor antagonist.^14,15 When the methoxy group at C-9 was replaced with an ethoxy moiety or i-propoxy group, no opioid analgesic activity was observed. The 9-acetoxy analogue exhibited much less activity than mitragynine. In addition, the N_b oxide derivative of mitragynine was not active. These results indicated the 9-methoxy group was a very important functional group for ligand binding to opioid receptors. It also demonstrated that the lone pair of electrons on the N_b nitrogen atom was indispensable in regard to opioid agonistic activity.^14,15 In summary, the mitragynine class of compounds are structurally different from morphine and some of these indole alkaloids still exhibited high opioid agonistic activity primarily via μ-receptors similar to morphine. This renders these novel lead compounds for the design of new antinociceptive agents and tools with which to study opioid receptors.

The alkaloid, 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) (see Figure 1), was first isolated from the bark of Strychnos guianensis.¹⁶ The crude extracts from the root and stem bark displayed muscle-relaxant activity.¹⁷ The related 9-methoxy-N_b–methylgeissoschizol (4) as well as other quaternary indole alkaloids have also been identified.¹⁸ These geissoschizol bases are biogenetically related to the Corynanthe alkaloids, which enables the design of a general approach to the synthesis of these 9-methoxy-substituted indole alkaloids. To date, many total syntheses of corynantheidine have been published.¹⁹ However, few syntheses of mitragynine (1) have been reported.^20,21 Presumably, the difficulty in acquiring 4-methoxyindole starting materials has retarded other efforts in this area.

Figure 1. Structures of Some 9-Methoxy Substituted Indole Alkaloids.

In this report, the details of the development of the recent syntheses of these 9-methoxy substituted indole alkaloids as described. From a retrosynthetic perspective, it was felt the common 9-methoxy-substituted tetracyclic intermediate 5 could be transformed into the Corynathe indole alkaloids mitragynine (1), 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) and 9-methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol (4) in simple fashion (Scheme 1). The cis configuration at C-3 and C-15 could presumably be installed via a Ni(0)-mediated cyclization ²² of the vinyl iodide with the double bond of the α,β-unsaturated ester 6, analogous to the previous work of Yu.^19f An asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction ²³ of the secondary N_b-alkyl amine 7 and the aldehyde 8^{19f, 24} would be employed to stereospecifically install the correct chirality at C-3. The N_b-allyl group of the secondary amine 7 would be required to direct the diastereoselectivity at C-3¹¹ and, presumably, this amine 7 could be obtained from monoalkylation of 4-methoxy-D-tryptophan 9.

Scheme 1. Retrosynthetic Analysis.

Results and Discussion

A key obstacle in the preparation of 1, 3 and 4 stems from the general lack of availability of 4-methoxytryptophans. Extensive efforts by Ley et al.²⁵ led to a synthesis of 4-methoxytryptophan (9) in high optical purity by the process of enzymatic kinetic resolution employing immobilized penicillin G acylase. The initial strategy here was to use the Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis to synthesize 4-methoxy-3-methylindole (11), which could undergo regioselective bromination and coupling with the anion of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary²⁶ to provide 4-methoxyindole derivative 18 (Scheme 4). This process had earlier been successfully employed to synthesize 5-methoxytryptophan²⁷ in a regiospecific fashion. The protection of the indole N_a–H function with an electron-withdrawing group such as a Boc moiety to decrease the electron density of the 2,3-indole double bond was essential to decrease the nucleophilicity at the C-2 position. Thus, the readily available aryl iodide 10b²⁸ was subjected to the conditions of allylic alkylation, followed by the Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis to give a 1:1 mixture of 3-methylindoline 12 and 3-methylindole 11, the latter compound was presumably formed from the isomerization of the 3-methylindoline 12 under the reaction conditions (Scheme 2). The 3-methylindoline 12 was found to isomerize rapidly to the thermodynamically more stable 3-methylindole 11 during chromatography on silica gel.^21b Alternatively, the crude mixture of 11 and 12 could be stirred under acidic conditions to provide the 4-methoxy-3-methylindole 11 in 90% overall yield from aryl iodide 10b. Unfortunately, the radical-mediated bromination of the methyl indole 11 gave both the desired 3-bromomethyl indole 13, as well as the dibromide 14. Although the successful radical bromination of the electron-rich 5-methoxy-3-methylindole had been reported,²⁷ the difficulty in achieving the regioselective bromination of the 4-methoxy-3-methylindole was not unexpected. Presumably, the methoxy substituent at the C-4 position not only enhanced the nucleophilicity at the C-2 position but also increased the steric hindrance at C-3 due to its proximity to the benzylic methyl group.

Scheme 4. Improved Synthesis of Bromide 13 and Its Application in 4-Methoxytryptophan Synthesis.

Scheme 2. Initial Synthesis of Bromide 13.

Numerous attempts to optimize the reaction conditions failed to avoid electrophilic aromatic substitution at C-2 of the indole 11. It was later decided the 3-methyleneindoline 12 might actually serve as a better substrate for the radical bromination since the electrophilic attack at the C-2 position in 12 would not occur. Moreover, the allylic radical intermediate generated from the 3-methyleneindoline 12 should aromatize rapidly to the lower energy indolic radical 15 (Scheme 3), which could undergo the radical bromination to give the desired 3-bromomethylindole 13. Alternatively, the electrophilic addition of the NBS to the 3-methyleneindoline 12 to provide the cationic intermediate might occur and this could be followed by loss of a H⁺ to regenerate the indole ring and provide the bromide 13. Presumably, this ionic process was slow compared with the radical process.

Scheme 3. Possible Pathway for Synthesis of Bromide 13.

To minimize the isomerization of the 3-methyleneindoline 12 to the 3-methylindole 11 in the Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis, it was necessary to switch the base from potassium carbonate to silver carbonate. This silver salt is known to minimize the isomerization of the double bond effected by the HPdX species in the Heck coupling, and it has been previously employed as the base in the Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis.²⁹ Gratifyingly, when silver carbonate was employed in the Heck reaction, the process was much faster, and the reaction could be carried out at room temperature (Scheme 4). The desired 3-methyleneindoline 12 was obtained, accompanied by a small amount of the 3-methylindole 11. The subsequent NBS mediated radical reaction of 12 then gave selectively, and the reaction conversion was increased from 80% to 90%. The dibromide byproduct 14 was observed only in trace amount by NMR analysis of the crude material. The process could also be scaled up to the 50 gram level without loss of selectivity or yield, although the work up was more tedious and extra care was required to avoid isomerization. It had been reported by Ley^25a that the instability of a similar intermediate 16 led to the failure of its coupling with the anion of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 17. Indeed, the reaction mixture of 13 was initially yellow in CCl₄ or cyclohexane solution, but on removal of solvent the reaction mixture rapidly decomposed to a black solid which is no longer soluble in CCl₄ or cyclohexane. Moreover, the coupling of this crude material in THF with the anion of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 17 provided bislactim 18, albeit in very low yields. Consequently, after removal of the excess NBS and N-succinimide by filtration, most of the cyclohexane was removed while a small portion of cyclohexane remained to avoid decomposition. This cyclohexane solution of the bromide 13 was directly used to couple with the anion of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 17 in THF to furnish the desired bislactim 18 in 52% overall yield for the four steps. With the bislactim 18 in hand, the thermal deprotection of the Boc moiety in 18 was attempted in refluxing xylene, unfortunately, this gave the desired product in only 80% yield, accompanied by a minor product, which was believed to be the epimerized product at the chiral auxiliary. Other alternative methods for removal of the Boc group under various conditions, including TMSOTf/lutidine, silica gel-mediated³⁰ deprotection of the Boc moiety (under reduced pressure) and KOtBu/Et₂O³¹ were attempted, but the epimerization was observed in all cases. To circumvent this problem, the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary was removed under acidic conditions (90%), and this was followed by the acid-mediated cleavage of the indole N_a-Boc group by stirring in a saturated solution of anhydrous HCl in chloroform (80%).

The initial development of the synthesis of the optically active 4-methoxytryptophan ethyl ester (20) had involved a Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis and the regioselective bromination of the 3-methylene indole 12. However, a tedious work up process and skillful experimental techniques were required in this process to obtain good yields. This prompted a study of the Larock heteroannulation.³² Since its development in 1991, the Larock heteroannulation had been used extensively in the synthesis of indoles. The strength of the Larock process stems from the facile construction the indole ring from halide substituted aniline and alkyne. Good regioselectivity in most cases can be achieved when a bulky silyl substituted internal alkyne was employed as a substrate. The steric interactions between the ortho aromatic H atom and the substituent on the alkyne (see intermediates 23 and 24 in Scheme 5) are the key factors controlling the regioselectivity.^32b,33 In the case of 4-methoxy indole derivatives this steric effect was even more demanding because the aromatic hydrogen atom was now replaced by a methoxyl group in the Larock heteroannulation. Analogous to the successful synthesis of 6- and 7-methoxy indoles,³⁴ the Larock heteroannulation of aniline 10a²⁸ and the TES propargyl-substituted Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 21b³⁴ was attempted. Unfortunately, this provided only 40% of the desired bislactim 22a. It was observed that the reaction rate of the Larock heteroannulation in the 4-methoxyindole series was slower than the corresponding 6- and 7-methoxy analogs. It was felt that the 4-methoxyl group in the aromatic ring substantially decreased the reaction rate of the oxidative addition step both for electronic and steric reasons. An electron-withdrawing group such as a Boc group on the aniline nitrogen atom might speed up the oxidative addition step in the catalytic cycle. Gratifyingly, the Boc protected 2-iodo-3-methoxyaniline 10b and the TMS alkyne 21a³⁴ underwent the Larock heteroannulation at a much faster rate to afford the N_a-Boc protected indole derivative 22c in 80% yield in 6 hours. Moreover, the removal of the Boc moiety was achieved after the reaction mixture continued to stir for 3 days to afford the desired 4-methoxy N_a-H indole 22b in 82% yield. This was carried out on a 50 gram scale. A switch from the TMS- to the TES- substituted alkyne 21b resulted in a lower yield (70%) of indole 22a. Presumably, the oxidative addition of Pd(0) to the Boc protected iodoaniline 10b was more facile than in the free aniline 10a. Furthermore, the TMS substituted alkyne was bulky enough to achieve the regioselectivity, while binding more rapidly to the Pd catalyst than the corresponding TES substituted analogue. Overall, excellent regioselectivity and reaction rate in the Larock heteroannulation was a delicate balance between electronic and steric effects.

Scheme 5. Larock Heteroannulation.

The hydrolysis of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary and concomitant loss of the indole-2-silyl group of 22b smoothly took place in aqueous 2 N HCl in THF to provide 4-methoxy-D-tryptophan ethyl ester (20) in a single step in 91% yield (Scheme 6). The enantiomer, 4-methoxy-(L)-tryptophan ethyl ester, was also synthesized (from D-valine) by the same route. With both enantiomers in hand, the optical purity of the 4-methoxytryptophan ethyl ester 20 could be determined by chiral HPLC [(S,S) WHELK-01 chiral column was employed]. However, the separation of the enantiomers 20 was not acceptable. Consequently, the N_b nitrogen atom of 20 was protected by heating with Boc anhydride (THF) to afford the N_b-Boc protected derivative 26. The enantiomer of 26 was also prepared and both successfully separated on the HPLC when the (S,S) WHELK-01 chiral column was employed. The optical purity of indole 20 was found to be >95% ee. The desired ethyl ester 20 was hydrolyzed in ethanolic NaOH solution, and then converted into the benzyl ester 27 in 84% yield.^19f Cesium carbonate³⁵ was then employed as the base and the monoalkylation of primary amine 27 with allylic bromide 28 was successfully executed when THF/DMF (1:1) were used as a mixed solvent system to give secondary amine 7 in 85% yield. When DMF was used as the only solvent, dialkylation was observed. When THF was used as the only solvent the reaction was very slow. It had been established that a bulky group on the N_b-nitrogen atom was required to achieve 100% trans diastereoselectivity in the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction.³⁶ The Pictet-Spengler reaction of the aldehyde 8²⁴ and the secondary amine 7 was then attempted in TFA/CH₂Cl₂.^19f Unfortunately, decomposition of 4-methoxyindole 7 was observed under these conditions. A switch to weaker acids such as trichloroacetic acid or chloroacetic acid resulted in decomposition as well. Finally, acetic acid was employed to initially provide a mixture of cis and trans isomers in a 1:3 ratio. When this solution was allowed to stir for 5 days, the epimerization of the cis isomer to provide the desired trans tetrahydro-β-carboline 29 went to completion and an overall yield of 90% was obtained. Alternatively, the cis and trans mixture could be stirred in dilute TFA/CH₂Cl₂ solution for 30 min, although this should be monitored by TLC carefully to avoid the decomposition of the 4-methoxyindole system.

Scheme 6. Establishment of Stereochemistry at C-3.

With the trans tetrahydro-β-carboline 29 in hand, the desired α,β-unsaturated ester 6 was readily prepared in good yield (Scheme 7).^{19f, 24} The removal of one equivalent of thiophenol from 29 was achieved in the presence of thiophenol and a catalytic amount of NaH to furnish the monosulfide 30 in 92% yield. Selective oxidation of the second phenyl sulfide moiety in the presence of the N_b nitrogen atom was accomplished with m-CPBA at -78 °C to give the sulfoxide. This material was heated to reflux in toluene in the presence of sodium carbonate to afford the α,β-unsaturated ester 6 in 72% yield over the 3 steps. The α,β-unsaturated ester 6 was then subjected to the Ni(COD)₂-mediated cyclization, analogous to the work reported by Yu^19f and Takayama^22a to afford the Corynanthe skeleton in 31 in 75% yield. The hydrogenolysis of the benzyl ester 31 was mediated by Et₃SiH in the presence of PdCl₂³⁷ to afford the corresponding carboxylic acid (The catalytic debenzylation had been attempted with Pd/C/H₂, and the simultaneous reduction of the double bond had been observed.). The acid was then activated via the mixed anhydride and converted into the selenoester, which underwent the Martin modification of a Barton-Crich decarboxylation³⁸ to give the tetracyclic system 5 in 59% yield. The reduction of the ester 5 with lithium aluminum hydride in THF at rt furnished the synthetic 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) in 90% yield. Methylation of 3 with methyl iodide was followed by the exchange of the iodide anion to chloride anion employing AgCl to provide the 9-methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol (4). The ¹³C NMR spectral data of 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) and 9-methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol (4) are in excellent agreement with the literature (see Supporting Information for details).^16,18

Scheme 7. Synthesis of 9-Methoxygessisoschizol (3) and 9-Methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol (4).

Efforts then turned to the synthesis of mitragynine from the common intermediate, α,β-unsaturated ester 6, analogous to the work reported by Yu.^19f The vinyl iodide 6 was subjected to the Pd(OAc)₂ catalyzed intramolecular Heck coupling in DMF at 80 °C for 18h to afford diene 32 in 92% yield (Scheme 8). The reduction of the conjugated diene system was achieved with NaBH₄ in the presence of NiCl₂·6H₂O³⁹ to provide the desired cis system 33a in 55% yield, accompanied by the partially reduced β,γ-unsaturated ester 33b, as a byproduct (40% yield). In this process NaBH₄ was added in portions at 0 °C into a mixture of the α,β-unsaturated ester 32 in MeOH and solid NiCl₂·6H₂O. This step was exothermic and the reaction was carried out at 0 °C to avoid the hydrolysis of the methyl ester moiety. The removal of the benzyl function of ester 33a was again achieved with PdCl₂ in the presence of Et₃SiH³⁷ to afford the acid 34, which then underwent the Barton-Crich decarboxylation to provide cis intermediate 35 in 50% yield. The acid 34 was activated by isobutyl chloroformate to provide the mixed anhydride as the intermediate in the presence of NMM. This process was followed by the addition of the 2-mercapto-pyridine N-oxide and Et₃N to provide the Barton ester. This intermediate was then subjected to irradiation with a Q-beam in the presence of t-BuSH until the disappearance of the intermediate (TLC), to furnish the key intermediate 35 for mitragynine. Unfortunately, this decarboxylation process gave inconsistent yields. Attempts to use the radical mediated decarboxylation of the selenoester analogous to the synthesis of 5 furnished very low yields of 35. This prompted development of an alternative route for the synthesis of this key tetracycle 35.

Scheme 8. Initial Synthesis of Tetracycle 35.

Due to the inconsistent yields, as mentioned, during the decarboxylation of the acid 34, efforts were then directed toward the synthesis of the tetracyclic intermediate 35 from the stereoselective reduction of olefin 5, which had been employed in the synthesis of 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3). Reduction of the double bond in olefin 5 turned out to be problematic. The reduction of 5 with Pd/C/H₂ or PtO₂/H₂ was very slow at both 1 atmosphere pressure and at 50 psi, returning mostly starting material. Some isomerization of the double bond in 5 was also observed. This isomerization took place, presumably, because of the slow rate of the reduction. Finally, the reduction of olefin 5 to 35 was effected in 70% yield using Crabtree's catalyst ^40a (Scheme 9), which has been widely employed in the reduction of tri- and tetra- substituted alkenes.⁴⁰ With tetracycle 35 in hand, the indole N_a nitrogen atom in 35 was protected with a Boc group to facilitate the formylation to provide the enol 37 accompanied by its aldehydic tautomer. This enol/aldehyde mixture was then treated with HCl (g) in EtOAc to remove the Boc group, and this was followed by treatment with anhydrous methanolic hydrogen chloride solution in the presence of trimethyl orthoformate to afford the corresponding acetal intermediate. Analogous to the route of Takayama et al,²⁰ the acetal was dissolved in DMF and treated with t-BuOK to furnish mitragynine (1).

Scheme 9. Synthesis of Mitragynine (1).

Conclusion

An efficient synthesis of optically active D- or L-4-methoxy tryptophan ethyl ester (20) has been developed. Both the 4-methoxy-3-methylindole (11) and the isomeric indoline derivative 12 could be obtained via the Mori-Ban-Hegedus indole synthesis. The regioselective radical bromination of indoline 12 gave better yields of the bromide 13 than the indole 11. The bromide 13 was successfully converted into 4-methoxy tryptophan ethyl ester (20) after coupling with the anion of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 17, followed by hydrolysis of the chiral auxiliary. Alternatively, the Larock heteroannulation was successfully employed to synthesize tryptophan derivative 20 in a more efficient way. Importantly, the Boc protection of the aniline was crucial to the success of this heteroannulation. The synthetic 4-methoxy tryptophan ethyl ester (20) was transformed into the tetracycle 5. The stereocenter at C-3 was installed by the Pictect-Spengler reaction, and the cis configuration at C-3 and C-5 was achieved by the Ni(COD)₂ mediated cyclization. The total synthesis of mitragynine (1), 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) and 9-methoxy-N_b-methyl-geissoschizol (4) were accomplished from the common intermediate 5.

Experimental Section

tert-Butyl 4-Methoxy-3-methyleneindoline-1-carboxylate (12)

Carbamate 10b (54.7 g, 0.157 mol) in DMF (1 L) was cooled with an ice bath and stirred at 0 °C for 10 min. To this cold solution was added NaH (60% dispersion in mineral oil, 6.91 g, 0.172 mol) and the mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 30 min. Allyl bromide (16.2 mL, 0.188 mol) was injected via a syringe and the mixture was warmed to rt and stirred for 5 h, after which aq NH₄Cl solution (10 mL) was carefully added dropwise to destroy the excess NaH at 0 °C. The mixture which resulted was poured into EtOAc (2.2 L) and H₂O (300 mL) and the aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layer was washed with H₂O and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed to afford the crude allylation product, which was used directly in the next step. To the crude allylation product (58.0 g, 0.149 mol) was added palladium(II) acetate (836 mg, 3.73 mmol), silver carbonate (49.34 g, 0.180 mol, 90% purity,), triphenylphosphine (1.955 g, 7.454 mmol) and DMF (320 mL, anhydrous). The reaction mixture was degassed under vacuum and stirred at rt under a slow stream of argon for 8 h. The reaction mixture was poured into EtOAc (1 L) and filtered through a pad of Celite to remove the Pd black and inorganic salts. The solution which resulted was diluted with additional EtOAc (1 L), and was then washed with water, brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. This residue contained a trace amount of DMF which was subsequently removed under vacuum at rt (heat should not be used to avoid isomerization) overnight to provide the desired 3-methyleneindoline 12 as a yellow solid. IR (film), 2974, 2929, 1712, 1635, 1597, 1469, 1382, 1348, 1269, 1150, 1096, 903, 860, 791, 753, 695, 609 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, C₆D₆) δ 1.40 (9H, s), 3.25 (3H, s), 4.30 (2H, b), 4.97 (1H, t, J = 0.7 Hz), 6.06 (1H, t, J = 2.4 Hz), 6.12 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.02 (1H, t, J = 8.2 Hz), 8.14 (1H, b); EIMS (m/e, relative intensity): 261 (M⁺, 72), 205 (100), 188 (21), 160 (80), 146 (34). This material was used directly in the next step.

tert-Butyl 3-(Bromomethyl)-4-methoxy-1H-indole-1-carboxylate (13)

To a 3-neck round bottom flask (5 L) equipped with an overhead stirrer was added cyclohexane (2.5 L, not distilled), and it was heated to reflux. The N-Boc 4-methoxy-3-methyleneindoline 12 was added in one portion and this was followed by addition of N-bromosuccinimide (25.2 g, 0.142 mol) as well as AIBN (750 mg, 4.567 mmol). After heating at reflux for 30 min, the slurry was cooled in an ice bath and then filtered through a pad of Celite to remove the succinimide. The filtrate was dried (Na₂SO₄), and most of the solvent was removed to provide the 3-bromomethyl 4-methoxyindole 13 as a yellow solution (around 100 mL in volume). Caution: the product will rapidly decompose if all the solvent is removed. This yellow solution was diluted with anhydrous THF (180 mL), cooled to -78 °C and used directly in the next step. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.70 (9H, s), 3.99 (3H, s), 4.86 (2H, s), 6.65 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.21 (1H, t, J = 8.1 Hz), 7.52 (1H, s), 7.76 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz). This material was employed immediately in the next step.

tert-Butyl 3-(((2R,5S)-3,6-Diethoxy-5-isopropyl-2,5-dihydropyrazin-2-yl)methyl)-4-methoxy-1H-indole-1-carboxylate (18)

To a solution of (3S)-3,6-dihydro-6-isopropyl-2,5-diethoxypyrazine (17) (37.93 g, 0.179 mol) in anhydrous THF (500 mL) under argon at -78 °C, n-BuLi (2.5 M in hexane, 89.6 mL, 0.224 mol) was added dropwise. This solution was stirred for 30 min at -78 °C and the solution of 3-bromomethyl 4-methoxyindole 13 from the previous step was added slowly over a period of 15 min via a cannula at -78 °C. The mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 6 h, slowly warmed to rt, and then was quenched with a saturated aq NaHCO₃ solution (80 mL). The mixture was poured into EtOAc (1.5 L) and water (200 mL). The aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was combined and washed with water, brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (100% hexane gradient to 5% EtOAc in hexane) to afford the desired indole 18 as a yellow oil. IR (film), 3206, 2974, 2871, 2838, 1731, 1692, 1603, 1567, 1494, 1465, 1434, 1368 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.72 (3H, d, J = 6.8 Hz), 1.05 (3H, d, J = 6.8 Hz), 1.17-1.34 (6H, m), 1.66 (9H, s), 2.20-2.37 (1H, m), 3.01 (1H, dd, J = 8.2, 14.3 Hz), 3.59 (1H, dd, J = 4.2, 14.1 Hz), 3.82 (1H, t, J = 3.3 Hz), 3.92 (3H, s), 4.00-4.12 (4H, m), 4.24-4.33 (1H, m), 6.64 (1H, d, J = 8.1 Hz), 7.19 (1H, t, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.30 (1H, s), 7.77 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 14.2 (2 carbons), 16.6, 19.0, 28.1 (3 carbons), 31.4, 31.6, 55.0, 56.4, 60.3, 60.4 (2 Carbons), 82.9, 103.0, 108.1, 117.4, 120.3, 122.8, 124.6, 136. 8, 149.6, 154.4, 163.0, 163.4. Anal. Calcd for C₂₆H₃₇N₃O₅ : C, 66.22; H, 7.91, N, 8.91; Found: C, 66.04; H, 8.01; N, 9.18.

3-(((2S,5R)-3,6-Diethoxy-5-isopropyl-2,5-dihydropyrazin-2-yl)methyl)-4-methoxy-2-tri-methyl-silyl)-1H-indole (22b)

To carbamate 10b (51.20 g, 0.147 mol) was added the internal alkyne 21a (56.80 g, 0.176 mol), palladium acetate (650 mg, 2.90 mmol), potassium carbonate (50.42 g, 0.365 mol), lithium chloride (6.365 g, 0.150 mol) and DMF (300 mL). The mixture was degassed under vacuum (argon) and then heated at 100 °C under a slow stream of argon for 72 h. The mixture was cooled to rt, and EtOAc (400 mL) was added and then filtered through Celite to remove the Pd black and inorganic salts. The solution which resulted was diluted with additional EtOAc (1.2 L) and it was then washed with water, brine, and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified on silica gel (gradient elution from hexane to 10% EtOAc in hexane) to give the 4-methoxy indole 22b as a yellow oil (53.43 g, 82%). IR (film) 3426, 2956, 1688, 1582, 1505, 1365 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.39 (9H, s), 0.73 (3H, d, J = 6.8 Hz), 1.11 (3H, d, J = 6.8 Hz), 1.17 (3H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 1.24 (3H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 2.35 (1H, m), 3.00 (1H, dd, J = 10.2, 13.4 Hz), 3.54 (1H, dd, J = 4.7, 13.4 Hz), 3.87 (3H, s), 3.94 (3H, m), 4.08 (1H, m), 4.21 (1H, m), 4.43 (1H, m), 6.42 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz), 6.96 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.06 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.89 (1H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.4, 14.2, 16.5, 19.2, 28.2, 30.9, 32.8, 54.6, 58.6, 60.0, 60.1, 60.3, 98.7, 104.0, 119.3, 122.7, 122.8, 129.5, 140.0, 154.6, 162.6, 164.8; EIMS (m/e, relative intensity): 443 (M⁺, 19), 232 (100), 212 (27), 169 (27). HRMS m/z: C₂₄H₃₈N₃O₃Si (M+H)⁺ cacld: 444.2682, found: 444.2686.

(2R,6R,12bS,E)-Benzyl 3-Ethylidene-8-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1,2,3,4,6,7, 12,12b-octa hydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine-6-carboxylate (31)

To a solution of α,β-unsaturated ester 6 (1.8 g, 2.93 mmol) in freshly distilled CH₃CN (80 mL) was added Et₃N (1.9 ml) and this was followed by addition of Ni[COD]₂ (1.51 g, air sensitive, weighed under argon) at rt. The reaction mixture gradually turned red and the starting material was completely consumed after 40 min (TLC). To the above solution Et₃SiH (2.0 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 min. The reaction mixture was then poured into a saturated aq solution of Na₂CO₃ (30 mL) and EtOAc (150 mL). The mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite, and the aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was subjected to flash column chromatography (gradient elution from hexane to 30% EtOAc in hexane) to afford the tetracycle 31 (1.07 g) in 75% yield. IR (film) 3380, 2948, 2834, 1730, 1571, 1508, 1435, 1352 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.65 (3H, d, J = 6.9 Hz), 1.98-2.05 (1H, m), 2.16-2.22 (1H, m), 2.25-2.36 (2H, m), 3.13- 3.19 (1H, m), 3.22 (1H, d, J = 12.2 Hz), 3.37-3.42 (1H, m), 3.48 (1H, s), 3.50-3.56 (1H, m), 3.67 (3H, s), 3.85-3.90 (1 H, m), 3.87 (3 H, s), 4.54 (1H, t, J = 5.6 Hz), 5.07 (1H, d, J = 12.4 Hz), 5.16 (1H, d, J = 12.4 Hz), 5.43 (1H, q, J = 6.9 Hz), 6.47 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J = 7.7 Hz), 7.02 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.24-7.29 (5 H, m), 8.23 (1 H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 12.6, 21.0, 31.4, 32.3, 37.9, 48.9, 51.6, 54.8, 55.1, 61.0, 66.1, 99.6, 104.2, 105.0, 117.4, 120.8, 122.3, 127.8 (2 carbons), 128.3 (2 carbons), 128.5, 131.9, 135.5, 135.9, 137.3, 154.2, 172.3, 173.7; EIMS (m/e, relative intensity): 488 (M⁺, 54.0), 397 (19.5), 353 (100), 279 (19.2), 199 (12.0). HRMS m/z: C₂₉H₃₂N₂O₅ (M+H)⁺ cacld: 489.2389, found: 489.2368.

9-Methoxygeissoschizol (3)

The tetracyclic ester 5 (12 mg, 0.034 mmol) was dissolved in THF (2 mL) and the solution was cooled to 0 °C. Then LiAlH₄ (3 mg, 0.079 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 1 h until the disappearance of the starting ester 5 (TLC). Aqueous 10% NaOH solution (0.5 mL) was added and the mixture stirred for 10 min. Some white precipitate formed during this time and the mixture was poured into EtOAc (20 mL) and H₂O (5 mL). The mixture which resulted was then filtered through a pad of Celite and the aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layers were combined, washed with brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified on a short wash column (5% methanol in ethyl acetate) to provide the 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) (10 mg) as a light yellow foam in 90% yield. IR (film) 3253, 2932, 1668, 1511, 1436, 1355 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.42-1.58 (2H, m), 1.64 (3H, dd, J = 1.2, 7.0 Hz), 2.10-2.40 (2H, m), 2.90 (2H, s), 2.91-3.12 (2H, m), 3.13-3.27 (2H, m), 3.47-3.70 (3H, m), 3.90 (3H, s), 4.23 (1H, t, J = 5.3 Hz), 5.52 (1H, q, J = 6.8 Hz), 6.48 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz), 6.97 (1H, t, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.03 (1H, t, J = 7.9 Hz), 8.03 (1H, s), 8.56 (1H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 12.8, 20.0, 31.4, 32.4, 35.7, 51.2, 51.3, 53.5, 55.1, 61.5, 99.6, 104.5, 106.9, 117.3, 121.3, 122.0, 131.8, 136.0, 137.3, 154.2; EIMS (m/e, relative intensity): 326 (M+, 77.0), 325 (82.1), 309 (10.0), 279 (22.5), 199 (63.8), 55 (100); The signals in the ¹³C NMR spectrum were in excellent agreement with the literature values (see SI).³

9-Methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol (4)

The 9-methoxygeissoschizol (3) (3.1 mg), MeI (0.05 mL) and freshly distilled MeOH (2 mL) were stirred at rt for 24 h until the disappearance of the starting material (TLC). The solvent and excess MeI was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in freshly distilled MeOH (2 mL). This was followed by addition of AgCl (6 mg). The mixture was covered with aluminum foil and allowed to stir at rt for 2 d. The mixture was filtered through Celite and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to afford 9-methoxy-N_b-methylgeissoschizol 4 (2.8 mg) in 78% yield. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 1.32-1.44 (1H, m), 1.46-1.61 (1H, m), 1.75 (1H, dd, J = 1.3, 7.0 Hz), 2.14-2.33 (1H, m), 2.47-2.64 (1H, m), 3.09 (3H, s), 3.10-3.20 (2H, m), 3.42 (2H, t, J = 6.2 Hz), 3.62 (1H, d, J = 12.6 Hz), 3.65-3.78 (2H, m), 3.81 (3H, s), 4.26 (1H, d, J = 12.8 Hz), 4.50-4.60 (1H, m), 5.90 (1H, q, J = 7.0 Hz), 6.44 (1H, d, J = 7.7 Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 6.99 (1H, t, J = 7.9 Hz); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 12.6, 18.8, 29.8, 30.8, 35.3, 48.3, 54.1, 58.5, 59.6, 62.5, 64.4, 99.2, 103.9, 104.3, 116.4, 123.3, 126.3, 128.8, 131.8, 138.4, 154.3; The signals in the ¹³C NMR spectra of 4 are in good agreement with the literature values (see SI).³

(2Z,3E,6R,12bS)-Benzyl 3-Ethylidene-8-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethylidene)-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12 b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine-6-carboxylate (32)

To the solution of α,β-unsaturated ester 6 (860 mg, 1.40 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(OAc)₂ (30 mg, 0.133 mmol), PPh₃ (75 mg, 0.286 mmol) and Et₃N (0.5 mL). The mixture was degassed (under vacuum and then argon) and then heated to 80 °C for 24 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (20 mL) and then filtered through a pad of Celite to remove the inorganic salts. The filtrate was poured into EtOAc (150 mL) and H₂O (20 mL) and the aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layers were combined and washed with H₂O, brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified on a short wash column (gradient elution from hexane to 25% EtOAc in hexane) to give the Heck coupling product 32 (626 mg) in 92% yield. IR (film) 3372, 2947, 2835, 1722, 1710, 1440, 1355, 1257 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.76 (3H, d, J = 6.9 Hz), 2.38 (1H, t, J = 11.8 Hz), 3.39-3.45 (2H, m), 3.54 (1H, d, J = 16.2 Hz), 3.75-3.80 (1H, m), 3.77 (3H, s), 3.86-3.92 (1H, m), 3.87 (3H, s), 4.14 (1H, dd, J = 2.6, 13.8 Hz), 4.48 (1H, d, J = 9.8 Hz), 5.07 (2H, ABq, J = 12.6 Hz), 5.59 (1H, q, J = 7.0 Hz), 5.78 (1H, d, J = 1.4 Hz), 6.47 (1H, d, J = 7.7 Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J = 7.9 Hz), 7.04 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.18-7.32 (5H, m), 7.98 (1H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 14.5, 26.4, 35.4, 51.1, 53.8, 55.1, 60.3, 60.8, 65.8, 99.6, 104.3, 105.3, 116.9, 117.0, 122.2, 123.5, 127.6 (2 carbons), 127.9, 128.5 (2 carbons), 131.5, 135.8, 136.0, 137.5, 154.2, 154.3, 167.2, 172.3. Anal. Calcd for C₂₉H₃₀N₂O₅: C, 71.59; H, 6.21; N, 5.76, found: C, 71.38; H, 6.03; N, 5.52. HRMS m/z: C₂₉H₃₁N₂O₅ (M+H)⁺ cacld: 487.2233, found: 487.2237.

(2R,3S,6R,12bS)-Benzyl 3-Ethyl-8-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1,2,3,4,6,7,12, 12b –octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine-6-carboxylate (33a)

To a solution of the unsaturated ester 32 (326 mg, 0.67 mmol) in CH₃OH (10 mL) was added NiCl₂·6H₂O (24 mg,0.10 mmol) at 0 °C. After stirring at 0 °C for 15 min, NaBH₄ (195 mg, 5.10 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 2 h. The reaction mixture was quenched by addition of water (0.5 mL) at 0 °C. The mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite and poured into EtOAc (100 mL) and H₂O (10 mL). The aq layer was extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified on a flash column (gradient elution from hexane to 20% EtOAc in hexane) to provide the saturated ester 33a (180 mg) as the first fraction in 55% yield. IR (film) 3388, 2955, 1734, 1718, 1558, 1510, 1434, 1354 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.83-0.94 (1H, m), 0.85 (3H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 1.13-1.25 (1H, m), 1.38-1.55 (2H, m), 1.85 (1H, d, J = 14.6 Hz), 2.28-2.41 (3H, m), 2.94 (1H, d, J = 13.9 Hz), 3.13 (1H, d, J = 11.3 Hz), 3.25-3.60 (2H, m), 3.73 (3H, s), 3.66-3.79 (1H, m), 3.89 (3H, s), 4.24 (1H, d, J = 12.2 Hz), 5.08 (2H, s), 6.48 (1H, d, J = 7.7 Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J = 8.1 Hz), 7.01 (1H, t, J = 7.9 Hz), 7.13-7.32 (5H, m), 7.80 (1H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 12.5, 17.3, 26.8, 33.5, 36.9, 38.2, 39.9, 51.5, 53.6, 54.9, 55.1, 61.8, 65.6, 99.6, 104.1, 105.3, 117.2, 122.1, 127.3 (2 carbons), 127.6, 128.3 (2 carbons), 133.0, 136.1, 137.4, 154.3, 172.9, 173.4; EIMS (m/e, relative intensity) 490 (M⁺, 28), 399 (29), 355 (100), 281 (12), 199 (32), 91 (55); HRMS m/z: C₂₉H₃₅N₂O₅ (M+H)⁺ cacld: 491.2546, found: 491.2535.

(6R,12bS)-Benzyl 3-Ethyl-8-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1,4,6,7,12,12b-hexa-Hydroindolo [2,3-a]quinolizine-6-carboxylate (33b)

The tetra-substituted olefin 33b was obtained as the second fraction (30% EtOAc in hexane) in 40% yield (131 mg). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.01 (3H, t, J = 7.6 Hz), 1.94-2.19 (2H, m), 2.24 (1H, d, J = 13.9 Hz), 2.48 (1H, d, J = 15.9 Hz), 2.98 (1H, d, J = 15.0 Hz), 3.20 (1H, d, J = 15.0 Hz), 3.27 (1H, d, J = 15.7 Hz), 3.50 (2H, m), 3.67 (3H, s), 3.73 (1H, m), 3.86 (3H, s), 3.95 (1H, d, J = 6.6 Hz), 4.50 (1H, d, J = 10.3 Hz), 5.05 (2H, s), 6.46 (1H, d, J = 7.9 Hz), 6.89 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz), 7.02 (1H, t, J = 8.1 Hz), 7.10-7.23 (5H, m), 7.83 (1H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 12.9, 24.0, 26.8, 36.6, 37.6, 50.4, 51.8, 54.1, 55.1, 59.8, 65.6, 99.6, 104.2, 105.0, 117.1, 120.6, 122.1, 127.4 (2 carbons), 127.8, 128.3 (2 carbons), 132.6, 135.0, 135.5, 137.6, 154.3, 172.0, 172.6; EIMS (m/e, relative intensity) 488 (M⁺, 26), 397 (21), 353 (73), 199 (100), 155 (22), 91 (84). HRMS m/z: C₂₉H₃₃N₂O₅ (M+H)⁺ cacld: 489.2390, found: 489.2411.

Methyl 2-((2R,3S,12bS)-3-Ethyl-8-methoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a] quinolizin-2-yl)acetate (35)

Method A

A mixture of benzyl ester 33a (26 mg, 0.053 mmol) and PdCl₂ (3 mg, 0.0168 mmol) in a solution of Et₃SiH (0.5 mL) and freshly distilled toluene (5 mL) was stirred at rt for 5 h until the disappearance of the starting benzyl ester 33a by TLC. The mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified on a short wash column to give the acid (20 mg) in 93% yield. To this acid was added freshly distilled CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL), iso-butyl chloroformate (20 uL), and NMM (18 uL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for one hour at which time it was observed that the carboxylic acid was completely consumed (TLC). The reaction vessel was covered with aluminum foil and to the above solution was added 2-mercapto-pyridine-N-oxide (14 mg) and Et₃N (30 uL). The mixture was stirred at rt for 2 h until the disappearance of the mixed anhydride. To the above solution was added the t-BuSH (0.2 mL) and the aluminum foil was removed. The solution was then irradiated with a Q-beam light for 2 h. The solution was poured into a mixture of EtOAc (30 mL) and dilute aq NH₄OH (5 mL). The aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to flash chromatography (gradient elution from hexane to 80% EtOAc in hexane) to yield the tetracyclic ester 35 (9 mg) in 50% yield.

Method B

To a solution of trisubstituted olefin 5 (24 mg, 0.067 mmol) was added (1,5-cyclooctadiene) (pyridine)(tricycle-hexylphosphine)iridium(I) hexafluorophosphate (Crabtree's catalyst, 8 mg, 0.010 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL). The solution was degassed and filled with H₂. A balloon filled with H₂ was connected to the round bottom flask via a needle. This solution was stirred at rt for 24 h, after which the balloon was removed and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified on a flash column (gradient elution from hexane to 80% EtOAc in hexane) to provide the desired saturated ester 35 (17 mg) in 70% yield. IR (film) 3386, 2924, 2799, 2751, 1730, 1569, 1507, 1436, 1353 cm^-1; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.91 (3H, t, J = 7.3 Hz), 1.20-1.30 (1H, m), 1.40-1.74 (3H, m), 1.89 (1H, td, J = 2.7, 12.8 Hz), 2.19-2.43 (4H, m), 2.56 (1H, dt, J = 4.4, 11.5 Hz), 2.85-3.33 (5H, m), 3.72 (3H, s), 3.87 (3H, s), 6.45 (1H, d, J = 7.7 Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 6.99 (1H, t, J = 7.9 Hz), 7.76 (1H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 12.4, 18.2, 23.6, 31.6, 36.5, 37.9, 39.8, 51.5, 53.3, 55.2, 59.5, 60.0, 99.6, 104.2, 107.8, 117.4, 121.8, 132.5, 133.0, 137.2, 154.4; EIMS (m/e, relative intensity): 356 (M+, 90.0), 325 (13.2), 299 (23.5), 283 (21.6), 255 (23.2), 220 (100), 199 (17.0), 156 (61.2).

Mitragynine 1

Diisopropylamine (0.053 mL, 0.37 mmol) and THF (3 mL) were added to a round bottom flask (10 mL) and the solution which resulted was cooled to -78 °C and stirred for 10 min. This was followed by addition of n-BuLi (0.1 mL, 0.248 mmol, 2.5M in hexane). The solution was stirred at -78 °C for 30 min and the tetracyclic ester 36 (30 mg, 0.062 mmol) in anhydrous THF (2.5 ml) was added to this solution. The mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 2 h and then warmed to 0 °C and stirred for 30 min. The reaction mixture was quenched with an aq solution of NaHCO₃ (1 mL) and the mixture was poured into EtOAc (20 mL) and H₂O (5 mL). The aq layer was extracted with EtOAc and the organic layers were combined, washed (brine), and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to provide the enol 37 together with its aldehyde tautomers (22.1 mg). Part of this mixture (6 mg, 0.0165 mmol) was dissolved in a saturated solution of hydrogen chloride (g) in EtOAc, and stirred at rt for 8 h. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in anhydrous methanol. To this mixture was added methanolic HCl (1 drop) and trimethyl orthoformate (0.1 mL) and the solution which resulted was stirred at rt for 5 h. It was then heated to reflux for 12 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in DMF (2 mL). To this solution was added t-BuOK (3 mg) and the mixture was stirred at rt for 8 h. The mixture was poured into EtOAc (20 ml) and aq NaHCO₃ (5 mL).The aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layers were combined, washed with H₂O, brine, and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent was removed under reduce pressure and the residue was purified on a short wash column (alumina, gradient elution from hexane to 40% EtOAc in hexane) to give mitragynine 1 (1.0 mg). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.87 (3H, t, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.58-1.70 (2H, m), 1.72-1.85 (2H, m), 2.40-2.60 (4H, m), 2.92 (1H, dd, J = 5.5, 10.8 Hz), 2.96-3.08 (3H, m), 3.16 (1H, d, J =11.6 Hz), 3.70 (3H, s), 3.73 (3H, s), 3.88 (3H, s), 6.46 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.00 (1H, t, J = 7.9 Hz), 7.43 (1H, s), 7.67 (1H, s); ¹³C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 12.9, 19.1, 23.9, 30.0, 39.9, 40.7, 51.3, 53.8, 55.3, 57.8, 61.3, 99.8, 104.2, 107.9, 111.3, 121.8, 133.7, 137.2, 154.5, 160.5; EIMS (m/e, relative intensity): 398 (M⁺, 100), 383 (43.5), 269 (14.3), 214 (74.5). The synthetic mitragynine was identical on TLC to mitragynine kindly supplied by Professor Takayama at Chiba University, and the ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR are in good agreement with the data kindly supplied by Professor Takayama.

Supplementary Material

suporting info. Supporting Information Available.

¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra for the intermediates and final products, Chiral HPLC chromatograms of the N_b-Boc-4-methoxytryptophan ethyl ester (26). This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.