Organophotocatalytic cascade cyclization reactions for the synthesis of cyanoalkyl indole[2,1-a]isoquinolinones

Abstract

Visible-light-induced C–C bond breakage of cyclobutanone oxime esters reacted with 2-aryl indole derivatives to afford a variety of cyanoalkyl indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolinones in high yields was developed. The organophotocatalytic radical cascade cyclization reaction uses an inexpensive photosensitizer without any additives in a simple and scalable set-up, and allows the inclusion of many other functional groups.