In this study, the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline as a common skeleton, is described. The process is based on the thermal electrocyclization of 3-phenylpyrrole containing isocyanate as 2-azahexatriene. Using this approach, the total synthesis of three natural marinoquinolines A, B, and E can be successfully achieved.

The first total synthesis of the pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline alkaloid trigonoine B (1) was accomplished via a six-step sequence involving the construction of an N-substituted 4-aminopyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline framework via electrocyclization of 2-(pyrrol-3-yl)benzene containing a carbodiimide moiety as a 2-azahexatriene system. The employed six-step sequence afforded trigonoine B (1) in 9.2% overall yield. The described route could be employed for the preparation of various N-substituted 4-aminopyrroloquinolines with various biological activities.