Synthesis of Biologically Active Carbazole Alkaloids Using Selective Transition-metal-catalyzed Coupling Reactions

Highly convergent syntheses of substituted carbazoles are most conveniently achieved using organometallic chemistry. Construction of the carbazole framework via the iron-mediated route proceeds by a sequence of C–C and C–N bond formation. In the highly efficient palladium-catalyzed route the C–N bond is formed first followed by generation of the C–C bond. This article highlights some recent developments and applications to the total synthesis of biologically active carbazole alkaloids.