Iminophosphorane-mediated synthesis of 1-substituted-β-carbolines: investigative studies on the preparation of alkaloids lavendamycin and eudistomins framework

Aza-Wittig reaction of iminophosphorane 3, derived from ethyl a-azido-β-(3-indolyl) propenoate and tri-phenylphosphine, with 2-formylpyrrole and 2-formylquinolines leads to Eudistomins A and M and Lavendamycin derivatives respectively.