We report a visible-light-induced strategy for synthesizing lactone-fused indolines via the radical dearomatization of indoles with simple alcohols. This method combines hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalysis and Lewis acid activation operating under ambient conditions. The protocol exhibits a broad substrate scope and excellent diastereoselectivity, leveraging readily available alcohols as alkyl radical precursors. This sustainable approach provides efficient access to complex heterocyclic scaffolds commonly found in bioactive natural products.
Ai et al. (Mon,) studied this question.