Formation of Indoles, Dihydroisoquinolines and Dihydroquinolines by Ruthenium-Catalyzed Heterocyclizations

NOTICE: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Varela-Fernández, A., Varela, J. A., Saá, C. (2012). Formation of Indoles, Dihydroisoquinolines and Dihydroquinolines by Ruthenium-Catalyzed Heterocyclizations. Synthesis, 44, 21, 3285-3295. [doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1316539]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Thieme Terms and Conditions for self-archivingIndoles, dihydroisoquinolines and dihydroquinolines were efficiently prepared by ruthenium-catalyzed heterocyclizations of aromatic homo- and bis-homopropargyl amines/amides in the presence of an amine/ammonium base-acid pair. These regioselective 5- and 6-endo cyclizations most probably occur by nucleophilic trapping of key Ru vinylidene intermediates.We thank the MICINN [Project CTQ2011-28258, Consolider Ingenio 2010 (CSD2007-00006)], Xunta de Galicia and European Regional Development Fund (2007/XA084 and CN2011/054) for financial support. A. V.-F- thanks the USC for a predoctoral contractS