Copper-Catalyzed Cascade Phosphorylation Initiated Radical Cyclization: Access to 2-Phosphorylated Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole.

A copper-catalyzed tandem radical cyclization of 1-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)-1H-indole with diphenylphosphine oxides was developed. C-P bond formation was achieved coupled with C(sp2)-H functionalization. It provided an access to construct the pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole motif and a series of 2-phosphinoyl-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles.