A domino reaction for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-]isoquinolines from 2-aryl-pyrrolidines and alkynes promoted by a four-component catalytic system under aerobic conditions.

Pyrrolo[2,1-]isoquinoline derivatives were synthesized from 2-aryl-pyrrolidines and alkynes an oxidative dehydrogenation/cyclization coupling/dehydrogenative aromatization domino process. This reaction was promoted by a four-component catalytic system which included [RuCl(-cymene)], CuCl, copper acetate monohydrate and TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) under aerobic conditions.