| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation, from e.g. anhydrovinblastine, of binary indole alkaloids effective as an anti-cancer drug, such as vinblastine, leurosidine, etc., wherein a trivalent iron source and hydride source are added in the presence of oxygen, thereby increasing a yield of an object compound. The yield of an object compound is improved still more by further addition, to the reaction system, of an oxalic acid ion source, malonic acid ion source, inorganic anion source, amino acid, etc. |