A convenient synthesis of luotonins A and B

Total synthesis of the cytotoxic alkaloid, luotonin A, was achieved using a Pd-assisted biaryl coupling reaction of N-(bromoquinolinyl)methylquinazolinone with Cy3P and KOAc in high yield. Successive treatment of luotonin A with NBS and aq AgNO3 gave luotonin B in good yield.