Rhodium-Catalyzed Crossed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition with Ynamides: Key-Strategy for the Concise Total Synthesis of 3-Oxygenated Carbazole Alkaloids

International audienceTotal syntheses of a set of naturally occurring 3-oxygenated carbazole alkaloids - 6-chlorohyellazole, carazostatin, carbazomycins A and B - are described. The key-strategy underlines a highly chemo- and regioselective rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization between appropriately tailored yne-ynamides and 1-methoxypropyne that is stirred by the interplay of stereoelectronic and steric effects allowing the introduction of four ring substituents of the natural carbazoles within a single step and making the overall syntheses short and efficient