A concise total synthesis of (-)-quinocarcin via aryne annulation.

Described in this report is a rapid asymmetric total synthesis of the tetrahydroisoquinoline antitumor antibiotic (-)-quinocarcin. The sequence employs a mild fluoride-induced aryne annulation developed in our laboratories to build a key isoquinoline-containing intermediate comprising the entire carbon scaffold of the natural product. This intermediate is advanced through six additional steps to the target alkaloid, providing the shortest synthetic route to (-)-quinocarcin reported to date.