One-pot relay catalysis: divergent synthesis of furo[3,4-b]indoles and cyclopenta[b]indoles from 3-(2-aminophenyl)-1,4-enynols

Abstract

Described herein is an efficient divergent strategy for the synthesis of furo[3,4-b]indoles via a sequential Ag(I)/Bi(III)/Pd(II) catalysis and cyclopenta[b]indoles via a one-pot Ag(I)/Brønsted acid relay catalysis from 3-(2-aminophenyl)-4-pentenyn-3-ols, accessible in three simple steps from 2-aminobenzaldehydes.