Heteroyohimbine alkaloids, akuammigine and 3-isorauniticine, were synthesized using a modified Polonovski reaction followed by NaCNBH3 reduction from desmethylhirsuteine N-oxide, which was derived from the indole alkaloid hirsuteine. Corynanthe alkaloid, corynantheidine was also synthesized using the same method from hirsuteine N-oxide.
