Total synthesis of (-)-4-desacetoxy-1-oxovindoline: Single atom exchange of an embedded core heteroatom in vindoline.

A concise total synthesis of (-)-4-desacetoxy-1-oxovindoline is disclosed, bearing a single heteroatom exchange in the core structure of the natural product 4-desacetoxyvindoline. Central to the synthesis is powerful oxadiazole intramolecular [4+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition cascade that formed four C-C bonds, created three new rings, and established five contiguous stereocenters about the new formed central 6-membered ring.