Cascade Phosphinoylation/Cyclization/Isomerization Process for the Synthesis of 2-Phosphinoyl-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole is a common structural motif found in many natural products and pharmaceuticals. A silver-mediated oxidative phosphinoylation of N-propargyl-substituted indoles was used to construct a variety of 2-phosphinoyl-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles under mild conditions. This transformation offers a straightforward route to the formation of the C-P bond, cyclization, and isomerization in one step.