Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines Synthesis by Tandem C-H Allylation and Oxidative Cyclization of 2-Phenylindoles with Allyl Carbonates.

A novel RuII-catalyzed tandem C-H bond activation tool has been successfully developed involving allylation and oxidative cyclization of 2-phenyl indoles with allyl carbonates. This one-pot reaction is a new way to synthesize indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline units via a simple and efficient process.