Tandem C-3/C-2 annulation of indole, benzofuran, and benzothiophene with 2-alkynyl benzylalcohol: an efficient approach to the diverse tetracyclic heteroazulene ring systems

We demonstrate an efficient and flexible strategy toward the synthesis of a library of biologically and pharmaceutically important tetracyclic heteroazulene derivatives in the presence of inexpensive and less toxic molecular iodine. The present strategy involves a sequential alkylation and alkenylation of indole/benzofuran/benzothiophene with o-alkynyl benzyl alcohols derivatives to obtain tetracyclic heteroazulene derivatives in moderate to good yields. Compared to other methodologies, the present strategy is more general, versatile, and environmentally friendly.