Total syntheses of novel cytocidal beta-carboline alkaloids, oxopropalines D and G.

A new type of beta-carboline nucleus, N-methoxymethyl-4-methyl-beta-carboline (4) was synthesized by thermal electrocyclic reaction of a 1-azahexatriene system, involving the indole 2,3-bond. The key compound N-methoxymethyl-1-methoxycarbonyl-4-methyl-beta-carboline (2) was then prepared in a four-step sequence. The total synthesis of oxopropaline G (1e) was achieved from this key compound in four steps. Furthermore, the enantioselective total syntheses of (+)-oxopropaline D (1c) and its enantiomer were also achieved by application of the Sharpless oxidation-procedure in nine steps from 2.