Radical Cyclizations for the Synthesis of Pyrroloindoles: Progress toward the Flinderoles

Under the influence of Lewis acid catalysis, donor/acceptor cyclopropanes underwent nucleophilic ring opening by indolines. The resulting N-alkyl indolines bearing a pendant malonyl moiety oxidatively cyclized to 1,2-pyrroloindoles. This method was showcased by the preparation of the skeletal structure of the flinderoles.