Unprecedented access to functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the domino reaction of isoquinolinium ylides and electrophilic benzannulated heterocycles.

We have come across an unexpected reaction between electrophilic indoles and isoquinolinium methylides for accessing functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. The reaction was found in general to yield the products in good yields. We also observed the formation of S-S-bridged bis-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the reaction of 3-nitro benzothiophene and isoquinolinium methylides.

Tandem α-Arylation/Cyclization of 4-Haloacetoacetates with Arynes: A Metal-Free Approach toward 4-Aryl-3-(2 H)-furanones.

An efficacious, metal-free strategy has been developed for the synthesis of 4-aryl-3-(2 H)-furanones. The reaction proceeds via the nucleophilic addition of an active methylene compound to the aryne followed by ring closing of the adduct. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, is applicable for gram-scale synthesis of 4-aryl-3-(2 H)-furanones, and is general for a range of substituted arynes and haloacetates.