Intramolecular Diels–Alder Cycloaddition/Rearrangement Cascade of an Amidofuran Derivative for the Synthesis of (±)-Minfiensine

An efficient synthesis of (±)-minfiensine has been accomplished employing an intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade of an amidofuran derivative. Thermal reorganization of the initially formed [4 + 2]-cycloadduct affords the critical tetrahydroiminoethanocarbazole skeleton of the alkaloid in high yield.