UChiChemistry

We are thrilled to share the Viresh Rawal group’s full account of their total synthesis of (+)-hinckdentine A, featured as the June issue cover story in the @amerchemsociety Journal of Organic Chemistry.

This work traces the evolution of a synthetic strategy centered on an indole-based Claisen (Meerwein–Eschenmoser) rearrangement, enabling an efficient construction of the crucial C2 quaternary center of the indoline core. Their pursuit of an “ideal” synthesis led to a remarkably concise 5-operation route.

The cover art, titled ‘A quick but arduous journey to the summit: Hinckdentine A,’ beautifully visualizes this synthesis as a mountain expedition. According to the editors, "Like climbing a mountain, total synthesis demands navigating unforeseen obstacles, circumventing treacherous paths, and balancing methodical approaches against daring explorations of uncharted terrain."

This article was selected as an Editors’ Choice paper and is available for download here:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.5c02924

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