Sequential aza-Piancatelli rearrangement/Friedel–Crafts alkylation for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-d]benzodiazepine derivatives

2-Furylcarbinols undergo a smooth aza-Piancatelli rearrangement followed by Friedel–Crafts alkylation with (1H-pyrrol-1-yl)aniline, in the presence of In(OTf)₃at room temperature to afford the corresponding hexahydrobenzo[b]cyclopenta[f]pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]diazepin-11(4aH)-one scaffolds.