Solving a Mystery with Classical and Dual Photoredox Catalysis: Application of Nickel in the Synthesis of Ergot Alkaloids.
Organic letters May 24, 2024 Jan Brauer, Rainer Wiechert, Anika Hahn et al. 5 citations
A new synthetic route to the ergot alkaloid lysergene and a formal total synthesis of LSD avoids palladium, using two nickel-catalyzed steps instead. A key intermediate previously reported by Hendrickson et al. in 2004 could not be reproduced with matching spectral data, raising doubts about their original route. However, the authors successfully leveraged this elusive intermediate to complete their own synthesis.