Regiodivergent synthesis of pyrazino-indolines triazocines α-imino carbenes addition to imidazolidines.

Hexahydropyrazinoindoles were prepared in a single step from -sulfonyl triazoles and imidazolidines. Under dirhodium catalysis, α-imino carbenes were generated and formed nitrogen ylide intermediates that, after subsequent aminal opening, afforded the pyrazinoindoles predominantly formal [1,2]-Stevens and tandem Friedel-Crafts cyclizations. Of mechanistic importance, a regiodivergent reactivity was engineered through the use of a specific unsymmetrically substituted imidazolidine that promoted the exclusive formation of 8-membered ring 1,3,6-triazocines. Based on DFT calculations, an original Curtin-Hammett-like situation was demonstrated for the mechanism. Further derivatizations led to functionalized tetrahydropyrazinoindoles in high yields.