Download full text in PDF Opens in a new window. Article suggestions will be shown in a dialog on return to ScienceDirect. ... Please enable JavaScript to use all the features on this page. ... The cytotoxic alkaloid canthin-6-one was synthesized from harmalane in a short sequence (six steps) with good overall yield (18%) using a single electron transfer (SET) induced radical cationic hetero [4+2] cycloaddition as high yielding key step. ... The cytotoxic alkaloid ...