Synthesis of Benzoindolizines through 1,5-Electrocyclization/Oxidation Cascades.

This study presents a convenient synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2- a]quinolines and pyrrolo[2,1- a]isoquinolines with simple quinolines or isoquinolines and Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates in the presence of copper acetate. A range of functionalized benzoindolizines could be assembled through an SN2'/deprotonation/1,5-electrocyclization/oxidation cascade pathway in a one-step process.