Iron-Catalyzed Synthesis of Peroxylpyrrolo[2,1-]isoquinolines through Oxidative Dearomatization.

A mild late-stage modification of pyrrolo[2,1-]isoquinolines was established through iron-catalyzed oxidative dearomatization and peroxidation. Peroxylated pyrroloisoquinolines have been prepared readily with hydroperoxide in low to good yields (up to 72%) at room temperature. Interestingly, the treatment of fully aromatized pyrrolo[1,2-]quinolines under the current reaction system resulted in the formation of ring-opening products.