Double "Open and Shut" Transformation of γ-Carbolines Triggered by Ammonium Salts: One-Pot Synthesis of Multiheterocyclic Compounds.

A novel cascade reaction of indole-2,3-epoxide equivalents with γ-carbolines by utilizing a double "open and shut" transformation to access multiheterocyclic compounds containing both isotryptamines and pyrimido[1,6- a]indoles has been developed. This strategy utilizes the in situ formation of a bulky quaternary ammonium salt via ammonium exchange, which undergoes Hofmann elimination/vinylogous Mannich/retro-Mannich/cyclization cascade sequences.