A photoinduced cyclization cascade-total synthesis of (-)-leuconoxine.

A protecting-group-free and enantioselective total synthesis of the monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (-)-leuconoxine was accomplished. The key step comprises a novel photoinduced domino macrocyclization/transannular cyclization involving the Witkop cyclization, for which additional mechanistic evidence is provided. This process furnishes a diaza[5.5.6.6]fenestrane skeleton, which is a hitherto unprecedented structure element.