Cascade Phosphinoylation/Cyclization/Isomerization Process for the Synthesis of 2‑Phosphinoyl‑9H‑pyrrolo[1,2‑a]indoles

Pyrrolo­[1,2-a]­indole is a common structural motif found in many natural products and pharmaceuticals. A silver-mediated oxidative phosphinoylation of N-propargyl-substituted indoles was used to construct a variety of 2-phosphinoyl-9H-pyrrolo­[1,2-a]­indoles under mild conditions. This transformation offers a straightforward route to the formation of the C–P bond, cyclization, and isomerization in one step.