Rapid access to indole-fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octanones by merging the umpolung strategy and molecular iodine as a green catalyst.

One-pot synthesis of indole-fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octanones from DiMeOIN and 2-cyclohexen-1-one is accomplished under an iodine catalyst. The simple and metal-free conditions provide a practical tool to construct Csp3-rich complex molecules via coupling cyclization.