Domino Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation-double cyclization of o-amino cinnamyl derivatives: applications to the formal total syntheses of physostigmine and physovenine.

A parallel, versatile and efficient route to synthesis of pyrrolidinoindoline and tetrahydrofuranoindoline alkaloids from cinnamyl derivatives has been developed, featuring a domino Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation-double cyclization sequence. This method can be applied to the syntheses of anti-Alzheimer drugs such as physostigmine and physovenine.