Total synthesis of (+)-isatisine A.

Total synthesis of (+)-isatisine A is described based on the application of a silyl-directed Mukaiyama-type [3 + 2]-annulation for the preparation of a fully substituted furan core. The indole branch forming the quaternary carbon center at C2 was constructed by addition to an intermediate N-acyliminium ion derived from aminal 4. In addition, the fused tetracyclic framework including furan core was built up using modified Buchwald amidation conditions.