Synfacts 2011(7): 0706-0706  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1260493
Synthesis of Natural Products and Potential Drugs
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Synthesis of (+)-Psychotetramine

Contributor(s): Steven V. Ley, James R. Frost
K. Foo, T. Newhouse, I. Mori, H. Takayama, P. S. Baran*
The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, USA and Chiba University, P. R. of China
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 June 2011 (online)

Significance

(+)-Psychotetramine is a tryptamine-based alkaloid isolated in 2004 from the rubiaceous plant Psychotria rostrate. This molecule features a C3-C3 connected dimer, which is bound to a C3-N1 dimer through an unusual C7-N1 linkage. As the pyrrolidine units must be cis-fused, this synthesis established which of eight possible stereoisomers corresponds to ­psychotetramine.