TMSOTf-promoted cascade reaction between protected tryptamine and propargyl alcohol has been developed as an efficient strategy for the construction of hexahydropyrrolo2,3-bindoline frameworks. The transformation enables access to an expanded chemical space around this important scaffold via a Lewis-acid-driven annulation strategy. The protocol proceeds through a Meyer-Schuster rearrangement, followed by regioselective C-3 nucleophilic addition of the indole ring and subsequent 5-exo-trig cyclization. This method affords structurally diverse hexahydropyrrolo2,3-bindolines in moderate to good yields.
Rivonker et al. (Wed,) studied this question.