Cascade intramolecular N-arylation/intermolecular carboamination reactions for the construction of tricyclic heterocycles.

A new method for the stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydropyrroloindoles and hexahydropyrroloquinolines of general structure 8 is described. These products are formed through cascade Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions between aryl chlorides and unsaturated amine substrates 5. A single catalyst effects an intramolecular N-arylation reaction followed by an intermolecular alkene carboamination reaction to generate two rings, three bonds, and one stereocenter with good chemoselectivity, diastereoselectivity, and chemical yield.