Radical relay strategy for the construction of alkylsulfonated indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones via SO₂ insertion/Smiles rearrangement

A new radical relay approach for the efficient construction of alkylsulfonated indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones in moderate to good yields under mild conditions via SO₂ insertion/Smiles rearrangement/intramolecular cyclization is developed.