Research Progress in Synthesis of Indole Alkaloids Vindoline and Vindorosine

Vindoline and vindorosine are two Aspidosperma-type indole alkaloids isolated from the leaves of Catharanthus roseus. Both compounds have highly functionalized pentacyclic indoline skeleton and six contiguous stereogenic centers, three of which are congested quaternary carbon centers. In view of the complex structures of these two molecules and their great challenges in synthesis, 15 research groups have carried out the synthesis of these two molecules. The progress of the synthesis of these two molecules in chronological order is reviewed.