Tryptamine-derived Zincke aldehydes

In the course of our successful synthesis, we identified several limitations of our new method and associated strategy (1) the harsh conditions of the bicyclization reaction do not tolerate base-sensitive functionality such as vinyl halides (2) post-cyclization manipulations such as iododesilylation reactions are complicated by the sensitive/ reactive functionality of the products (a,p-unsaturated aldehyde, indoline, etc.) and (3) the incorporation of the required functionality into the Zincke aldehyde requires the synthesis of a complex tryptamine derivative, resulting in a lengthy, non-convergent route. In order to develop a concise route to strychnine, we would have to address each of these issues, and a straightforward solution to obviate all of these is described below. 

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