A cascade A3 coupling strategy towards the regioselective synthesis of β-carboline N-fused pyrrole derivatives with pyridine tethers.

A potential three component reaction strategy has been devised to generate nature inspired β-carboline N-fused pyrroles containing pyridine tethers. These scaffolds were afforded in high yields via a one-pot cascade regioselective reaction of diverse Kumujian C, 2-aminopyridines and alkyne derivatives under Cu(II)-catalysis. A library of 32 novel indolizino[8,7-b]indole derivatives with pyridine tethers has been developed. The current protocol offers excellent regioselectivity, high atom-economy and significant structural diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]