Tin-Free Access to the ABC Core of the Calyciphylline A Alkaloids and Unexpected Formation of a D‑Ring-Contracted Tetracyclic Core

A tin-free strategy for the successful cyclization of a variety of internal alkyne-containing <i>N</i>-chloroamine precursors to the ABC core via cyclization of a neutral aminyl radical is established. Deuterium labeling experiments confirm that the solvent is the primary source of the final H atom in the cyclization cascade. These conditions enabled a streamlined route to a β-ketoester intermediate poised for intramolecular Knoevenagel condensation to construct the seven-membered D-ring of calyciphylline A alkaloids. However, exposure to CsF in <i>t</i>-BuOH at elevated temperatures led to an unexpected decarboxylation to form a D-ring-contracted tetracyclic core