A One-Pot Domino Reaction for the Synthesis of 3-Arylindolizines from Pyridines, Benzyl Halides, and Dihalide-Substituted Electron-Deficient Alkenes

3-Arylindolizines were prepared by one-pot domino reactions from benzyl halides with pyridine (or isoquinoline) and cyclic or acyclic dihalide-substituted electron-deficient alkenes in the presence of potassium carbonate via in situ generated N-ylide intermediate. Both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups are tolerated in the aryl ring of benzyl halides. The yields range from moderate to high.