University of British Columbia

Hiroki Tsukamoto

Jun Nakano

James P Kutney

Camille A Boulet

Michael McHugh

Lewis S L Choi

Lewis S Choi

The present invention relates to the synthesis of dimer alkaloid compounds, particularly those of the Catharantus (Vinca) family, from an indole unit, such as cantharanthine, and a dihydroindole unit, such as vindoline. A multi-step process is disclosed including the steps of (1) of 1,4-reduction of a first dimeric iminium intermediate to an enamine compound by reaction with a 1,4-dihydropyridine compound; (2) oxidative transformation of the resulting enamine to a second iminium intermediate under controlled aeration; (3) reduction of the second iminium intermediate to form the target dimer alkaloid compounds. The entire process can be conducted in a one-pot operation to obtain the target compounds without isolation of the intermediates.

Process of synthesis of 3&prime;,4&prime;-anhydrovinblastine, vinblastine and vincristine

Process of synthesis of vinblastine and vincristine

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Kariya, Japan

Hiroki Tsukamoto