Ruthenium-catalysed one-pot regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles via cascade C-H functionalization/annulationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and analytical data of the products. CCDC 1567079 (3a) and 1567080 (5a). For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c7cc06276a

A cascade approach has been developed towards dual C-C bond formation via consecutive C-H functionalization/cyclization giving access to pyrrolo[1,2- a ]indoles in a highly regio- and diastereoselective manner using catalytic [Ru( p -cymene)Cl 2 ] 2 . The methodology was further expanded to attain pentacyclic structures involving manifold C-C bond creation. Catalytic, regioselective and diastereoselective synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2- a ]indoles through a cascade C-H activation and cyclization process.