Sustainable Radical Cascades to Synthesize Difluoroalkylated Pyrrolo[1,2-<i>a</i>]indoles

Abstract

We disclose herein a photocatalytic difluoroalkylation and cyclization cascade reaction of N-(but-2-enoyl)indoles with broad substrate scopes in up to 90% isolated yield. This method provides sustainable and efficient access to synthesize difluoroalkylated pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles with a quaternary carbon center under mild conditions.