Construction of Spiro[indene‐2,1′‐pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline]s through a Visible‐Light‐Catalyzed Oxidative [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction

Under visible‐light catalysis, a domino oxidative 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of alkyl 2‐(3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐2‐yl)acetate with 2‐arylideneindane‐1,3‐diones has been developed that affords functionalized spiro[indene‐2,1′‐pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline]s in satisfactory yields and high diastereoselectivities. Depending on the electronic properties of the aryl group, similar reactions with tert ‐butyl 2‐(3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐2‐yl)acetate and 2‐(3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐2(1 H )‐yl)acetonitrile selectively gave spiro[indene‐2,1′‐pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline]s and 3‐arylspiro[indene‐2,2′‐oxirane]‐1,3‐diones, respectively.