One-step synthesis of indolizino[3,4,5-ab]isoindoles by manganese(i)-catalyzed C–H activation: structural studies and photophysical properties

Cembellín, S.; Maisuls, I.; Daniliuc, C. G.; Osthues, H.; Doltsinis, N. L.; Strassert, C. A.; Glorius, F.

Abstract

Herein, a regioselective synthesis of indolizino[3,4,5-ab]isoindoles, a valuable class of heterocycles with interesting luminescence properties, is described using manganese(i)-catalyzed C–H activation. The reported transformation proceeds in one-step and employs readily available 2-phenylpyridines as starting materials. Furthermore, the obtained single products exhibit blue-greenish fluorescence with high quantum yields.