Stereospecific N-acylation of indoles and corresponding microwave mediated synthesis of pyrazinoindoles using hexafluoroisopropanol

We envisioned a facile construction of diversified pyrazinoindoles by using 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as the solvent and catalyst, hence eliminating metal catalyzed routes for its development. The process is facilitated by HFIP that has emerged as a powerful tool for development of novel fused heterocycles. This cascade approach blends the asymmetric N-acylation with consecutive intramolecular cyclisation via Pictet-Spengler...