Seco-alkaloids 4-7 were treated with VOF3 and VOCl3, under a variety of conditions. No coupled products were detected. However, ring chlorinated and side-chain oxidized products were obtained from the VOCl3 oxidation of 4 and 7 respectively. The generality of the ring chlorination reaction was confirmed by chlorination of simple 0-methoxy phenols under these conditions to yield 17 and 23. In certain