A€ 3, R1, R,= CHMe; Et, H, H, Et is not accessible by the hlannich-type cyclizations which have been so successful in the synthesis of other types of indole alkaloids, especially those containing the tetrahydro-@-carboline ring, because of the prohibition against a bridgehead double bond. Successful syntheses of the aj maline-sarpagine ring system and close structural relatives have therefore involved closure of the C-5-C-1G4 or C-21-N-4 bondsb ...