Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Desbromoarborescidines A–C and the Formal Synthesis of (S)‑Deplancheine

Starting from Boc-protected tryptamine and (S)-tetrahydro-5-oxo-2-furancarboxylic acid, facile enantioselective total synthesis of desbromoarborescidines A–C and the formal synthesis of (S)-deplancheine have been accomplished via a common intermediate (S)-indolo­[2,3-a]­quinolizine. Synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)-acetoxyglutarimide, stereoselective reductive intramolecular cyclization, hydroxyl group-assisted in situ N-Boc-deprotection, selective deoxygenation of the xanthate ester, and lactam hydrolysis followed by an appropriate exchange of nitrogen regioselectivity in intramolecular cyclization were the decisive steps.