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.