Synthesis of a novel pyrrolo-[3,2-c]quinoline N-oxide by aza-Baylis-Hillman adduct of o-nitrobenzaldehyde

A new and high yielding approach for the synthesis of a novel pyrrolo-3,2-c]quinoline N-oxide is described. The key step consisted in the palladium-catalyzed reductive cyclization of an uncommon 3-ketopyrrole derivative of o-nitrobenzaldehyde, obtained in a straightforward manner through an aza-Baylis-Hillman/ring closing metathesis/aromatization reaction. A deoxygenation reaction of this novel pyrrolo-3,2-c]quinoline N-oxide afforded a new substituted pyrrolo-3,2-c]quinoline analogue.