An atmosphere and light tuned highly diastereoselective synthesis of cyclobuta/penta[b]indoles from aniline-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with alkynes.

Metal-free and environmentally friendly synthesis highly controlled by natural sources like visible light and air (or oxygen) is always a pursuit of green chemistry. In this paper, an atmosphere and light tuned highly diastereoselective synthesis of two important polyheterocyclic skeletons: cyclobuta/penta[b]indoles from aniline-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with alkynes, has been developed. The chiral cyclobuta/penta[b]indoles have also been obtained by optical resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]