Synthesis of an indole analog of magallanesine via the [1,2]‐meisenheimer rearrangement

Ring expansion of azetopyridoindole 11 via the [1,2]‐Meisenheimer rearrangement of the corresponding N ‐oxide 12 gave azocinoindole 14 , which was converted into the N ‐benzoylenaminone 18 in 5 steps. Intramolecular cyclization of 18 was accomplished by a modified Heck reaction followed by reductive desulfonylation to provide the indole analog 2, 5 H ‐isoindolo[2′,1′;1,2]azocino[5,6‐ b ]indole, of magallanesine 1 .