A highly efficient total synthesis of the potent lipid peroxidation inhibitor carbazoquinocin C is presented. The key-step is a palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of an anilino-1,4-benzoquinone to a carbazole-1,4-quinone which proceeds in up to 91% yield. Using this approach the natural product is obtained in four steps and 39% overall yield starting from aniline.
quinones - palladium catalysis - oxidative cyclization - total synthesis - carbazole alkaloids