A highly efficient [4 + 2] annulation route to polysubstituted indolizines is described employing a domino Knoevenagel condensation/intramolecular aldol cyclization process as a key step. Construction of pyridine rings in indolizine skeleton was rapidly achieved from several pyrrole-2-carboxaldehydes in good to excellent yields, leading to indolizines with various substituents at the 5, 6, and 7 positions depending on the reacting active methylene partners.

A highly efficient palladium-catalyzed α-arylation of aryloxyketones has been developed, allowing for facile installation of various (hetero)aryl groups at C2 position in good to excellent yields. Subsequent cyclodehydration of the resulting α-arylated aryloxyketones provided rapid access to diverse 2,3-disubstitured benzofurans.

Palladium-Catalyzed -Arylation of Aryloxyketones for the Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Benzofurans. -(LEE, J. H.; KIM, M.; KIM*, I.; J. Org. Chem. 79 (2014) 13, 6153-6163, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jo500885w ; Yonsei Inst. Pharm. Sci., Coll. Pharm., Yonsei Univ., Incheon 406-840, S. Korea; Eng.) -B. Voigt 01-112

Domino Knoevenagel Condensation/Intramolecular Aldol Cyclization Route to Diverse Indolizines with Densely Functionalized Pyridine Units. -It offers a new, facile, and efficient approach to a number of indolizine derivatives. -(KIM, M.; JUNG, Y.; KIM*, I.; J. Org. Chem. 78 (2013) 20, 10395-10404, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jo401801j ; Yonsei Inst. Pharm. Sci., Coll. Pharm., Yonsei Univ., Incheon 406-840, S. Korea; Eng.) -Jannicke 13-160