An
easy synthesis of novel highly functionalized 5,6-dihydroindolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines was developed via a pseudo four-component
domino reaction of 1-aroyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines, terminal α,β-ynones,
and malononitrile. The selective formation of this biologically relevant
heterocyclic core was achieved using a one-pot approach under microwave
irradiation. The formation of the same skeleton through the reaction
of 5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines with malonic
acid dinitrile supports the proposed mechanism, involving the intermediate
product of the three-component reaction. Furthermore, the disproval
of an alternative reaction pathway, which involved the dimerization
of malononitrile followed by three-component transformation, was demonstrated.
Introducing the malononitrile dimer as a CH acid resulted in the formation
of a different pyrido[3′,4′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline core. Additionally, the synthesized 5,6-dihydroindolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines were examined for their photophysical properties,
revealing their attractive luminescent characteristics.