Rh/Cu-catalyzed multiple C–H, C–C, and C–N bond cleavage: facile synthesis of pyrido[2,1-a]indoles from 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indoles and γ-substituted propargyl alcohols

Abstract

An unusual Rh/Cu-catalyzed synthesis of pyrido[2,1-a]indoles starting from 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indoles and γ-substituted propargyl alcohols was presented. The multi-step cascade transformations formally involve the cleavage of two C–H, three C–C, and one C–N bonds with concomitant construction of two C–H, four C–C, and one C–N bonds with excellent chemoselectivity in one-pot reaction.