A mild late-stage modification of pyrrolo[2,1-a]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-a]quinolines under the current reaction system resulted
in the formation of ring-opening products