Biomimetically Inspired Synthesis of Exotine A.

Exotine A, which comprises an unusual coumarin-cyclohepta[ b]indole ring system, has been synthesized for the first time in a one-pot process from known starting materials. The key step features a biomimetically inspired combination of three components to deliver exotine A and 11'- epi-exotine A in 43% yield and 17:1 diastereomeric ratio. Some mechanistic aspects of this reaction are discussed.