Synthesis of Pyrrolo-/Indolo[1,2‑a]quinolines and Naphtho[2,1‑b]thiophenes from gem-Dibromovinyls and Sulphonamides

A highly efficient and simple route for the synthesis of pyrrolo-/indolo­[1,2-a]­quinolines and naphtho­[2,1-b]­thiophenes from gem-dibromovinyls and sulphonamides is reported. The noteworthy feature of this report is that the methodology involves a two-step protocol to synthesize tri- and tetracyclic heterocycles in a one-pot fashion through the Cu­(I)-catalyzed formation of ynamide followed by a Ag­(I)-assisted intramolecular hydroarylation. The photophysical properties of representative examples of pyrrolo- and indolo­[1,2-a]­quinolines in solid and solution states have also been studied.