A simple and efficient biomimetic synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles using a highly stereo- and regioselective [3 + 2] reaction cascade was developed and then further applied in the first total synthesis of flinderoles B and C, which proceeded in 17.2% yield over the longest linear sequence of 11 steps.

Dimeric indole alkaloids represent a structurally unique class of natural products having interesting biological activities. Recently, we reported the first total synthesis of flinderoles B and C, structurally unique and potent antimalarial natural products. Central to the design of the approach and by virtue of a one-pot, acid-catalyzed dimerization reaction, the route also provided total synthesis of the borreverine class of natural products. This full account details the progress of efforts that culminated in the protecting-group-free, six-step total synthesis of all of the flindersia alkaloids: dimethylisoborreverine, isoborreverine, flinderoles A-C, and their analogues. A biomimetic approach featuring a scalable and catalytic formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition and Diels-Alder reaction is outlined in detail. On the basis of the experimental observations, a detailed mechanism has been proposed for the dimerization of tertiary alcohol 28.

An intramolecular transition-metal-free base-mediated hydroamination of propargylamine with isothiocyanates has been achieved. This atom-economical, regioselective intramolecular 5-exo-dig cycloisomerization was utilized for the one-pot synthesis of diversely substituted imidazole-2-thione and spiro-cyclic imidazolidine-2-thione. The reaction goes to completion at room temperature via propargylthiourea and 65-97% isolated yields were obtained.

A multicomponent reaction between imines, terminal alkynes, and isothiocyanates in the presence of a catalytic chiral copper-pybox complex proceeds enantioselectively to give enantiopure thiazolidine-2-imines (60-99% ee) via a highly regioselective intramolecular 5-exo-dig hydrothiolation reaction.

Thiol–yne coupling of propargylamine with isothiocyanate has been developed under metal‐ and solvent‐free conditions. The addition of propargylamine to isothiocyanate gives propargylthiourea. This intermediate in situ undergoes intramolecular 5‐exo‐dig cyclization to give thiazolidin‐2‐ylideneamine. A through‐bond anion relay reaction occurs by attack of the sulfur (not the nitrogen) atom on the alkyne in a highly regioselective manner at ambient temperature. Wide varieties of thiazolidin‐2‐ylideneamine derivatives were formed in excellent yields.