Abstract:
Efficient bioinspired syntheses of the biologically active pyridoacridine marine alkaloids demethyldeoxyamphimedine, deoxyamphimedine, and amphimedine are reported. Reaction of styelsamine D, prepared via an optimized route starting from Boc-dopamine, with paraformaldehyde afforded demethyldeoxyamphimedine and deoxyamphimedine. Oxidation of the latter using either K3[Fe(CN)6] or DMSO/conc. HCl gave amphimedine in 8 steps from tryptamine with an overall yield of 14%. The versatility of the method was demonstrated by the synthesis of non-natural ethyl and benzyl congeners of deoxyamphimedine and amphimedine.
