Concise Synthesis of Fagaridine and Decarine, Phenolic Benzo[c]phenanthridine Alkaloids, Using the Palladium-assisted Biaryl Coupling Reaction

Total synthesis of fagaridine (5) and decarine (6), phenolic benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids, was accomplished via the aryl-aryl coupling reaction of bromo amides protected by an isopropyl group with palladium, followed by reduction with LiAlH 4 and treatment with conc. HCl.