Total synthesis of ellipticine quinones, olivacine, and calothrixin B.

A direct route to the synthesis of biologically active ellipticine quinones, olivacine, and calothrixin B is described. The prominent key steps involved are Friedel-Crafts hydroxyalkylation followed by oxidation and directed ortho-lithiation reactions of readily available indole-2-carboxylate esters with appropriately substituted pyridine and quinoline carboxaldehydes.