Self-cyclization vs. dimerization of o-alkenyl arylisocyanides: chemodivergent synthesis of quinolines and pyrrolo-fused diindoles

Abstract

Solvent-dependent chemoselective Morita–Baylis–Hillman-type self-cyclization and dimerization of o-alkenyl arylisocyanides were developed. These chemodivergent reactions provide concise access to the efficient synthesis of various 3-acylquinoline and pyrrolo[1,2-a:3,4-b′]diindole frameworks via the distinct domino process from the same starting materials.