A novel domino reduction/imine formation/intramolecular cyclization/oxidation for the efficient synthesis of pyrrolo(indolo)[1,2-a]quinoxalines and pyrrolo(indolo)[3,2-c]-quinolines from readily available nitrobenzenes and glycols is reported. The process utilizes the carbonyl byproduct of the initial dioxomolybdenum(VI)-catalyzed reduction of nitroaromatics with glycols as a reagent for the imine generation. This method represents the first sustainable domino reaction for the preparation of biologically relevant heterocycles that internally incorporates the waste formed in the first step to the final product.
