Hydroxylation of the indole alkaloid marcfortine A (1) at carbon atoms
5, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 27 was realized by various soil-derived mi
croorganisms. Fission at the C-12-N bond was also observed. The struct
ural elucidation of the products (2-12) was accomplished by spectrosco
pic and semisynthetic means.