A practical approach to the fused β-carboline system. Asymmetric synthesis of indolo[2,3-a]indolizidinones via a diastereoselective intramolecular α-amidoalkylation reaction

Fused β-carboline systems, as indolo[2,3-a]indolizidinones, indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidinones, their 2-oxa analogues, and benzo[a]indolo[2,3-a]indolizidinones are prepared efficiently via an RLi addition-N-acyliminium ion cyclisation sequence on readily available imides. In an enantioselective variant of these α-amidoalkylation reactions, the addition of MeLi to a chiral non-racemic imide derived from tryptophan yielded an oxo amide, which was cyclised diastereoselectively upon treatment with BF₃·OEt₂, to afford 5,11b-trans-indoloindolizidinone in moderate yield and high ee (99%).