Enantioselective Synthesis of (+)-Cortistatin A, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Endothelial Cell Proliferation

This manuscript describes an enantioselective synthesis of the naturally occurring inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation, cortistatin A. Key steps of the synthesis are a silicate-directed elimination/ring expansion reaction and a highly diastereoselective aza-Prins cyclization with a subsequent transannular etherification.