First total synthesis of the marine alkaloids purpurone and ningalin C

Purpurone is obtained from 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyruvic acid, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylamine and 2′,2′,2′-trichloroethyl 2-bromo-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acetate in seven steps with an overall yield of 11%. Ningalin C is synthesized from 1-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-3,4-bis-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole and methyl 2-diazo-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acetate in five steps with a total yield of 19%.