Total Synthesis of (−)-Strychnine

Total synthesis of (-)-strychnine is described. Notable features of our synthesis include (1) palladium-catalyzed coupling of the indole and vinyl epoxide moieties, (2) synthesis of the nine-membered cyclic amine derivative from the diol precursor in a one-pot procedure, and (3) transannular cyclization of the nine-membered cyclic amine.