The total synthesis of iheyamine A from readily available ethyl 2-aminocinnamate and 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxaldehyde is described. The cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction of an aldimine derived from ethyl 2-aminocinnamate and 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxaldehyde provided the desired unsymmetrical 2,2′-bisindole-3-acetic acid derivative. The subsequent introduction of an amino group at the C-3′ position, followed by the formation of the azepine ring, completed the total synthesis of iheyamine A.

Herein, we describe the development of a twostep protocol for the synthesis of 2-substituted tryptamine derivatives from 2-aminocinnamyl nitriles and aldehydes. The cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction of 2-aminocinnamyl nitriles and aldehydes provided 2-substituted indole-3-acetonitrile derivatives. Subsequent reduction of the nitrile group afforded the desired 2-substituted tryptamine derivatives. The utility of this protocol was demonstrated in the synthesis of a potential inhibitor of 15lipoxygenase. Furthermore, the resulting 2-substituted indole-3-acetonitriles were converted to several 2,3-disubstituted indole derivatives upon transformation of the nitrile group into other functional groups.