Brønsted acid catalyzed Diels–Alder reactions of 2-vinylindoles and 3-nitrocoumarins: an expedient synthesis of coumarin-fused tetrahydrocarbazoles

A Brønsted acid catalyzed Diels–Alder reaction of 2-vinylindoles and 3-nitrocoumarins has been described. The methodology allows a rapid and expedient synthesis of a variety of coumarin-fused polycyclic indoles in good yields (up to 82%) with high diastereoselectivities (up to >19:1).