Metal-free polychloromethylation/cyclization of unactivated alkenes towards ring-fused tricyclic indolones and benzoimidazoles

Abstract

Polychloromethylative cyclization of N-alkenyl indoles was developed under metal-free conditions to afford tricyclic pyridoindolones and pyrroloindolones in moderate to good yields. In the reaction, commercially available CHCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂ were employed as tri- and dichloromethyl radical sources. Moreover, tri- and dichloromethylated polycyclic benzoimidazoles can also be obtained under standard conditions.