Synthesis of Polysubstituted 1,2-Dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-3-ones through Domino Palladium-Catalyzed Reactions of Indol-2-ylmethyl Acetates with 1,3-Dicarbonyl Derivatives

A straightforward assembly of polysubstituted 1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-3-ones through a domino palladium-catalyzed reaction of indol-2-ylmethyl acetates with 1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives is described. The key role of the features of the 1,3-dicarbonyls on the reaction outcome has been explored. The employment of 2-methylcyclohexan-1,3-dione as the dicarbonyl source could allow further challenging indole nucleus functionalizations.