A one-pot coupling/hydrolysis/condensation process to pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline

CuI/L-proline-catalyzed coupling of 2-halotrifluoroacetanilides with pyrrole-2-carboxylate esters in DMSO at 80-90 degrees C followed by in situ hydrolysis at 60 degrees C afforded pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines. Indole-2-carboxylate esters underwent the same process smoothly to provide the corresponding tetracyclic products.