A short microwave-assisted synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolin-pyrrolopyridinones by a triple process: Ugi-3CR–aza Diels–Alder/S-oxidation/Pummerer

A series of tetrahydroisoquinolin-pyrrolopyridinones were prepared from an easily accessible aldehyde, a commercially available amine, a readily isolable isonitrile, and maleic anhydride via a triple process: Ugi-3CR–aza Diels–Alder/S-oxidation/Pummerer. The combination of a multicomponent Ugi-type reaction with other post-functionalization processes provides a powerful tool for the preparation of fused polyheterocyclic compounds.