Total Synthesis of (±)‐Baphicacanthcusine A Enabled by Sequential Ring Contractions.

Reported herein is the first total synthesis of the poly‐pseudoindoxyl natural product baphicacanthcusine A. The synthesis leverages the oxidative rearrangement of indoles to pseudoindoxyls to install vicinal pseudoindoxyl heterocycles in a diastereoselective manner. Key steps include an acid‐mediated cyclization/indole transposition, two diastereoselective oxidative ring contractions, and a site‐selective C−H oxygenation. The synthesis of the oxidation precursors was guided by recognition of an element of hidden symmetry. This work provides a foundation for the chemical synthesis of other poly‐pseudoindoxyl alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]