Synthesis of indoline-fused eight-membered azaheterocycles through Zn-catalyzed dearomatization of indoles and subsequent base-promoted C-C activation.

A cascade reaction involving the Zn-catalyzed dearomatization of indoles, base-promoted ring-expansion and intramolecular SNAr reaction has been developed. This process realized a novel, atom economical and efficient synthesis of indoline-fused eight-membered azaheterocycles in a one pot manner.