A cascade coupling strategy for one-pot total synthesis of β-carboline and isoquinoline-containing natural products and derivatives.

Multi-birds with one stone: A cascade coupling strategy was developed for the synthesis of β-carbolines. The method can direct the synthesis of β-carboline and isoquinoline-containing natural products with high yields. Moreover, this protocol can also be further applied towards the total synthesis of natural products fascaplysin and papaverin (see scheme).