A convergent approach to the mitomycin ring system

structure: see text]. A novel stereoselective approach to the ring system of the mitomycins is described. The synthesis was based on a convergent strategy involving a stereocontrolled addition of a beta-phenyl silyl enol ether to a pyrroline N-acyliminium ion followed by an intramolecular palladium-catalyzed aryl triflate amination to afford the (9R*,9aR*)-tetrahydropyrrolo1,2-a]indole ring system.