Rapid and Efficient Construction of Indolizinoisoindole Skeletons by a Rhodium‐Catalyzed Tandem Reaction

A facile rhodium‐catalyzed tandem reaction of two molecules of acrylates with two molecules of 2‐phenylpyridines involving sequential C−H activation, Michael addition, [12+2] cycloaddition and oxidative aromatization has been described. A series of indolizino[3,4,5‐ab]isoindole compounds were efficiently afforded in good yields by the formation of two C−C bonds, two C=C bonds and one C−N bond.