Cascade hydroarylation/Diels-Alder cycloaddition of alkynylindoles with electron-deficient alkynes and alkenes

Herein, a novel cascade gold(i)-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynylindoles and subsequent Diels-Alder cycloaddition with electron-deficient alkynes and alkenes is described. A variety of azepino-fused hydrocarbazoles and carbazoles were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Key features of this methodology are low catalyst loadings, high regioselectivity, broad functional group tolerances, access to important heterocycles, and 100% atom economy. A novel cascade gold(i)-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynylindoles and subsequent Diels-Alder cycloaddition with electron-deficient alkynes and alkenes is reported herein.