Divergent synthesis of isoindolo[2,1-a]indole and indolo[1,2-a]indole through copper-catalysed C- and N-arylations

A simple and efficient synthetic route to both isoindolo[2,1-a]indole and its structural isomer indolo[1,2-a]indole skeletons is presented. The key steps of the strategy are based on copper-catalysed Caryl–C and Caryl–N bond formation reactions, respectively. Moreover, we report the first copper-mediated intramolecular C–H functionalisation of an indole.