Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-malbrancheamide B.

The asymmetric total synthesis of the chlorinated [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic indole alkaloid (+)-malbrancheamide B is reported. Key to the synthesis is a domino reaction sequence that employs an aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Diastereofacial selection between the azadiene stereofaces is enforced with a chiral aminal auxiliary. A formal 7-step (longest linear route) synthesis of (±)-malbrancheamide B is also reported.