The photochemistry of 1-alkenylbenzotriazoles

The synthesis of 2-substituted, 3-substituted, and 2,3-disubstituted indoles based on the photolysis of 1-alkenylbenzotriazoles is described along with the application of this method to the synthesis of the 2,3-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]indole nucleus of the mitomycin antitumor antibiotics.