Total Syntheses of rac- and (+)-Goniomitine

Concise total syntheses of rac- and (+)-goniomitine were developed. The cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction of an aldimine, derived from ethyl 2-aminocinnamate and either rac- or (S)-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde bearing a δ-valerolactam at the β-position, provided rac- or (S)-indole-3-acetate carrying an α-vinyl-δ-valerolactam scaffold at the 2-position, respectively. Subsequent saturation of the vinyl group, followed by treatment with DIBAL-H, afforded N-benzyl protected goniomitine. Final debenzylation provided the desired natural product after only three column separations. (Figure presented.).