Visible‐Light‐Induced Oxidation/[3+2] Cycloaddition/Oxidative Aromatization Sequence: A Photocatalytic Strategy To Construct Pyrrolo[2,1‐ a ]isoquinolines

A ray of sunshine : The title reaction sequence using ethyl 2‐(3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐2(1 H )‐yl)acetates with a series of electron‐deficient alkenes and alkynes provides rapid and efficient access to pyrrolo[2,1‐ a ]isoquinolines (see scheme; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, EWG=electron‐withdrawing group). The reaction offers a strategically new protocol for the direct and efficient construction of the core structure of naturally occurring lamellarin alkaloids.