Intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade of an amidofuran derivative for the synthesis of (±)-minfiensine.

An efficient synthesis of (±)-minfiensine has been accomplished employing an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade of an amidofuran derivative. Thermal reorganization of the initially formed [4+2]-cycloadduct affords the critical tetrahydroiminoethanocarbazole skeleton of the alkaloid in high yield.