Multicomponent reactions of pyridines, α-bromo carbonyl compounds and silylaryl triflates as aryne precursors: a facile one-pot synthesis of pyrido[2,1-a]isoindoles

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) involving pyridines, α-bromo ketones, and silylaryl triflates as aryne precursors were investigated. The reactions could also be extended to isoquinoline or α-bromo ethyl acetate. Substituted pyrido[2,1-a]isoindoles or isoindolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines could be obtained from this routine, which may have potential applications in antitumor drugs and fluorescent material fields.