Cascade carbopalladation-annulation approach toward polycylic derivatives of indole and indolizine

A convenient method for construction of polycyclic fused nitrogen-containing heterocycles has been developed. The methodology involves palladium-catalyzed intermolecular carbopalladation-annulation cascade reaction of haloaryl heterocyclic derivatives with different alkynes under relatively mild reaction conditions. Thus, the palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization of bromophenyl derivatives of indolizine and indole with alkynes afforded tetracycles, possessing a newly formed fused six-membered ring. The reaction of 3-(2-iodobenzyl)-indoles with a variety of alkynes afforded polycyclic compounds with fused seven-membered rings. Annulation with unsymmetrical alkynes exhibited varied regioselectivity. Overall, this approach allows for quick and efficient assembly of polycyclic derivatives of indole and indolizine from easily available precursors.