Synthesis of 5-azaindolizine derivatives by the palladium-catalyzed intermolecular formal [3+2] cycloaddition of alkylidenecyclopropanes with 1,2-diazines

The palladium-catalyzed formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkylidenecyclopropanes with 1,2-diazines proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding 5-azaindolizine derivatives in good to allowable yields. For example, in the presence of 5 mol % of Pd(PPh3)(4), the reaction of 1-propyl-hexylidenecyclopropane with phthalazine or with pyridazine proceeded at 120 degreesC without solvent, and the corresponding 2-(1-butylpentyl)pyrrolo[2,1-a]phthalazine or 6-(1-butylpentyl)pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazine was obtained in 61% or 49% yield, respectively.