Visible-light induced divergent dearomatization of indole derivatives: controlled access to cyclobutane-fused polycycles and 2-substituted indolines

Abstract

A photocatalytic protocol for the divergent dearomative functionalization of indole derivatives is reported. Under the irradiation of visible light, either dimerization or reduction occurs selectively by modifying the reaction conditions, leading to the formation of the corresponding cyclobutane-fused polycycles and 2-substituted indolines in good yields with exclusive selectivity.