Iron-catalyzed synthesis of polycyclic-fused azo[l,2-a]indolones via an SNAr/acylation cascade reactions

Abstract An efficient method has been developed for the cascade synthesis of azo[l,2-a]indolones from azoles and 2-fluoroaldehydes based on an iron-catalyzed S N Ar and a direct acylation reaction. A number of azo[l,2-a]indolones containing different azole rings and substituents were obtained in good yields.