Unexpected activated carbon-catalyzed pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines synthesis in water

In this manuscript, an efficient method for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives was developed. By virtue of the activated carbon/water system, a facile protocol was established to construct the intramolecular CN and CC bond at the same time. Meanwhile, this reaction has a wide substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. All these transformations can be performed smoothly under mild conditions without any transition metal, additive, oxidant and reductant.