Total synthesis of acronycine and noracronycine: An aryne amination approach

Abstract Acronycine and noracronycine are chromene-containing alkaloids with significant biological activity. We have accomplished a concise total synthesis of acronycine and noracronycine. The key step, regioselective nucleophilic addition of anthranilate to chromene-type arynes under mild and transition-metal-free conditions was achieved. In addition, further modifications of nucleophilic addition products, such as hydrogenation, O-functionalization and palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions have also been developed, providing a concise procedure for these alkaloids and their derivatives.