Synthesis of Pyrido[2,3-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine Derivatives via Tandem Iminium Cyclization and Smiles Rearrangement

The tandem iminium cyclization and Smiles rearrangement of pyridinyloxyacetaldehyde 1 and a primary amine generated a novel pyrido[2,3-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine scaffold. TFA was discovered to be an efficient catalyst in the reactions with aromatic amines, whereas TiCl4 was found to be superior in the case of aliphatic amines. This methodology proved to be efficient in the preparation of a library of diversified pyrido[2,3-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives.