Synthesis of indolizine derivatives containing eight-membered rings via a gold-catalyzed two-fold hydroarylation of diynes

A gold-catalyzed method for the construction of indolizines with eight-membered rings has been developed. The reaction proceeded through a two-fold hydroarylation with indole or pyrrole derivatives containing a 1,6-diyne using a tri(1-adamantyl) phosphine gold complex as the catalyst, affording 1,8-disubstituted indolizines in moderate to good yields in DCE at 80 degrees C. The potential usefulness of these indolizines as blue or green OLEDs has been also disclosed.