Unexpected cyclization of 2-(2-aminophenyl)indoles with nitroalkenes to furnish indolo[3,2-c]quinolines.

The polyphosphoric acid-mediated reaction of 2-(2-aminophenyl)indenes with nitroalkenes was tested in the frame of synthetic studies towards CDK inhibitors with the paullone core. Unexpectedly, this reaction proceeded via a different mechanistic pathway affording derivatives of the natural alkaloid isocryptolepine. The scope of this unusual transformation was investigated and a mechanistic rationale explaining this outcome is offered.