An enantioselective synthetic method for (-)-cis-clavicipitic acid (1) was reported. 1 was obtained in 10 steps (99% ee and 20% overall yield) from 1 H-indole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (9) via asymmetric phase-transfer catalytic alkylation and diastereoselective Pd (II)-catalyzed intramolecular aminocyclization as key steps.
