Concise Total Synthesis of Calothrixins A and B

The concise total synthesis of calothrixins A and B has been accomplished by utilizing the one-pot formation of hexatriene as a key intermediate via the palladium-catalyzed tandem cyclization/cross-coupling reaction of triethyl(indo1-2-yl)borate. In another key transformation, the indolo[3,2-j]phenanthridine core was prepared in high yield via Cu(I)-mediated 6 pi-electrocyclization.