Total synthesis of the marine pyridoacridine alkaloid sebastianine A

The synthesis of the marine alkaloid sebastianine A and of a regioisomer has been accomplished via hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of indole-4,7-dione or N-tosylindole-4,7-dione with trifluoroacetamidocinnamaldehyde dimethylhydrazone, and subsequent cyclisation in alkaline conditions.