Domino Knoevenagel condensation/intramolecular aldol cyclization route to diverse indolizines with densely functionalized pyridine units

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.