Total synthesis of the indole alkaloids henrycinol A and B

The total synthesis of new indole alkaloids henrycinol A and B were accomplished starting from l-tryptophan methyl ester. The key step is a stereochemically flexible Pictet–Spengler reaction governed by the presence or absence of an N-allyl group in the tryptophan precursor. The natural products henrycinol A and B were synthesized in good overall yield in eight and nine steps, respectively.