Unprecedented access to functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the domino reaction of isoquinolinium ylides and electrophilic benzannulated heterocycles.

We have come across an unexpected reaction between electrophilic indoles and isoquinolinium methylides for accessing functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. The reaction was found in general to yield the products in good yields. We also observed the formation of S-S-bridged bis-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the reaction of 3-nitro benzothiophene and isoquinolinium methylides.