Silver-Catalyzed Radical-Involved Cascade Cyclization of Diphenylphosphine with Cinnamamides: Access to 2-Phosphinoyl-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

A Ag-catalyzed phosphorus radical promoted cyclization of cinnamamides to give exclusively 2-phosphinoyl-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles derivatives via a 5-endo-trig manner is described. This novel reaction leads to the simultaneous formation of C-C and C-P bonds in one step with excellent chemo-(only 5-endo) and diastereoselectivity (dr >20:1) under mild conditions in moderate to good yields.