Copper-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Arylation of Tryptophan Derivatives: Total Synthesis of (+)-Naseseazines A and B

A copper-catalyzed arylation of tryptophan derivatives is reported. The reaction proceeds with high site- and diastereoselectivity to provide aryl pyrroloindoline products in one step from simple starting materials. The utility of this transformation is highlighted in the five-step syntheses of the natural products (+)-naseseazine A and B.