Investigation on the chemistry of berbans—VII: Synthesis of 10,11-dimethoxy(depyrrolo)raunescine stereoisomers

Acyloxy-ketone rearrangement, proceeding by the action of base, has been observed in the case of ketone 2. By the reduction of ketones 2 and 3 with sodium boron hydride, new 10, 11-dimethoxy(depyrrolo)raunescine stereoisomers (5a–7a) have been prepared. Previously known alcohols with alloberban skeleton (12,13) have been similarly converted into tetracyclic raunescine stereoisomers (8a,9) by the oxido-reductive method. The stereochemistry of these compounds has been investigated by physical (¹H NMR, IR) and by chemical methods.