Total Synthesis of cis-Clavicipitic Acid from Asparagine via Ir-Catalyzed C-H bond Activation as a Key Step.

4-Substituted tryptophan derivatives and the total synthesis of cis-clavicipitic acid were achieved in reactions in which Ir-catalyzed C-H bond activation was a key step. The starting material for these reactions is asparagine, which is a cheap natural amino acid. The reductive amination step from the 4-substituted tryptophan derivative gave cis-clavicipitic acid with perfect diastereoselectivity.