Synthesis of 8-desbromohinckdentine A

Hinckdentine A is an alkaloid isolated from the bryozoan Hincksinoflustra denticulate. This natural product contains a novel and unique 11b,12,13,14,15,16-hexahydroazepino[4',5':2,3]indolo[1,2-c]quinazoline ring system that has not previously been synthesized. We have synthesized 8-desbromohinckdentine A from a 2-aryl indole by first preparing the quaternary center of the natural product and then building the seven-membered lactam and dihydropyrimidine rings onto this intermediate to form the framework of hinckdentine A.