Synthesis of 4-Oxoindeno[1,2-b]pyrroles through Copper-Catalyzed Tandem Reactions of 1-(2-Haloaryl)enones with Isocyanides

Copper-catalyzed tandem reactions of 1-(2-haloaryl)­-enoneswith isocyanides for the synthesis of 4-oxoindeno[1,2-b]pyrroles are described. Highlyreactive cyclic organocopper intermediates are generated in thecopper-catalyzed [3+2]-cycloaddition reactionsof isocyanides to double or triple bonds. Successful intramoleculartrapping of the organocopper intermediates led to the efficientformation of 4-oxoindeno[1,2-b]pyrroles.