Synthesis of Dragmacidin D via Direct C–H Couplings

Dragmacidin D, an emerging biologically active marine natural product, has attracted attention as a lead compound for treating Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Prominent structural features of this compound are the two indole–pyrazinone bonds and the presence of a polar aminoimidazole unit. We have established a concise total synthesis of dragmacidin D using direct C–H coupling reactions. Methodological developments include (i) Pd-catalyzed thiophene–indole C–H/C–I coupling, (ii) Pd-catalyzed indole–pyrazine N-oxide C–H/C–H coupling, and (iii) acid-catalyzed indole–pyrazinone C–H/C–H coupling. These regioselective catalytic C–H couplings enabled us to rapidly assemble simple building blocks to construct the core structure of dragmacidin D in a step-economical fashion.