Access to fused indolines with a quaternary N,N′-aminal center

A highly efficient one-pot sequence has been developed for the rapid construction of fused polycyclic indolines bearing a C2-N,N′-aminal quaternary center. The process, which employs 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes and 2-substituted indoles as key substrates, proceeds through a Zn(II)-catalyzed Michael addition, followed by an intramolecular Cu(II)-catalyzed dearomative oxidative cyclization. This sequence enabling N–C(sp$^2$) bond formation via formal C(sp$^2$)–H activation, azoalkene addition, and aza-Wacker-type cyclization exhibits broad substrate tolerance and delivers unprecedented tricyclic indole architectures (namely 9a-substituted 9,9a-dihydro-1H-pyridazino[3,4-b]indoles) in good to excellent yields.