SYNTHESIS OF 1,2,3,4,5,7-HEXAHYDRO-6H-AZOCINO[4,3-b]INDOL-6-ONES AS INTERMEDIATES FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF APPARICINE

1-Phenylsulfonylindole is converted in eight steps into 2-(2-iodo-(Z)-but-2-en-1-y1)-6-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroazocino[4,3-b]indole, previously converted in one step into the indole alkaloid apparicine. The syntheses of other hexahydroazocino[4,3-b]indole potential precursors to the alkaloid are also described.