Total Synthesis of (-)-Ambiguine P.

Described is a concise total synthesis of (-)-ambiguine P, a cycloheptane-containing member of the hapalindole alkaloids. The challenging pentacyclic framework of the natural product was assembled rapidly via a [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction-inspired strategy, and the tertiary hydroxy group was introduced by an NBS-mediated bromination-nucleophilic substitution sequence.