A novel access to new pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines through palladiumcatalyzed multi-component reactions

Quinoxaline and its derivatives are an important class of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, show a broad spectrum of biological activities including antitumor,1 antiviral, and anti-inflammatory,2 properties. We herein present an efficient and successful approach for the synthesis of new pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines with good-to-high yields. The multi-component reaction of 3-amine substituted 2-chloroquinoxalines, benzoyl chlorides and prop-2-yn-1-amine in the presence of palladium-copper catalyst afforded functionalized pyrrolo[1,2- a]quinoxalines by amide and amine substituents at 1 and 4 positions respectively. This strategy provides the biologically active molecules in a one-pot process. All the new synthesis compounds were characterized by the analytical spectral data.