Metal- and light-free approach to polyheterocycles via a quinone-Cs2CO3 couple promoted regioselective cascade radical cyclization

A highly efficient, transition-metal- and light-free approach to polyheterocycles via regioselective cascade radical cyclization is developed. The redox-neutral protocol has a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance and probably undergoes a SET process, which is initiated by catalytic amounts of quinone in combination with 2.0 equiv. of Cs2CO3.