A concise synthesis of two pharmacologically relevant classes of molecules possessing the imidazoquinoxaline core is reported. The protocol involves use of 1,2-phenylenediamines and glyoxylic acid derivatives, namely ethyl glyoxylate or benzylglyoxamide, along with tosylmethylisocyanides in a microwave-assisted Van Leusen three-component condensation. Subsequent unmasking (Boc removal) of an internal amino-nucleophile promotes deprotection and cyclization that take place either spontaneously in a one-pot fashion to give 8 or upon acidic treatment under microwave irradiation after isolation of the imidazole intermediate to give 11. Of note, a tricyclic framework is hence assembled by means of a rapid and straightforward method with a high bond-forming efficiency.

A straightforward procedure for the preparation of N-quinoxaline-indoles is presented. A base-catalyzed one-pot addition of indoles to a preformed α-iminoketone proceeds on the N-1 indole and the subsequent adduct undergoes an acid-mediated deprotection of an internal amino nucleophile, intramolecular cyclization, and final oxidation generating N-1-quinoxaline-indoles in good yield.A novel route to N-1-quinoxaline-indoles is presented. Base-catalyzed addition of indole to preformed α-iminoketones proceeds at the N-1 indole position and the subsequent adduct undergoes an acid-mediated Boc-deprotection, cyclization, and oxidation generating N-1-quinoxaline-indoles in good yield in a succinct three steps.