Tilivalline 1, a metabolite from Klebsiella pneumoniae var. ocytoca, w
as easily synthesized in five steps from (S)-proline and 3-(benzyloxy)
isatoic anhydride 4g. This synthesis is based on modified Curtius reac
tions of 3-substituted phthalic anhydrides 11 to 3-substituted isatoic
anhydrides 4, conversion of lactams 6 to the acyliminium precursors 7
and stereoselective introduction of indole from the less hindered sid
e of 7.