Total synthesis of the tylophora alkaloids rusplinone, 13aα-secoantofine, and antofine using a multicatalytic oxidative aminochlorocarbonylation/Friedel-Crafts reaction

A rapid synthetic approach to the tylophora alkaloids antofine and 13aα-secoantofine is presented that makes use of a multicatalytic oxidative aminochlorocarbonylation/Friedel-Crafts reaction as the key step. This reaction, along with a one-pot, three-step telescoped process offers a three or four-pot sequence to access the title compounds in high overall yield.