In various conditions, dimerization of pentanedial-derived units gives rise to interesting skeletons, which are reminiscent of alkaloids known to be biosynthesized in Nature via lysine metabolism.
Following new biosynthetic proposals, an expeditious synthesis of tangutorine, an indolic alkaloid from Nitraria tangutorum has been achieved in three steps from simple C5 lysine-derived units. The work also includes further insights into the biosynthesis of Nitraria alkaloids.