Efficient synthesis and structure peculiarity of macrocycles with bi-indolizinylquinoxalinone moieties

Monoindolizinylquinoxalinepodands, easily available from indolizinylquinoxalines and various dihalides, undergo smooth oxidative dimerization in the presence of molecular iodine to afford corresponding macrocycles in good yields in a short reaction time. The use of inexpensive and readily available molecular iodine makes this method quite simple, more convenient, and practical. In solution the title macrocycles exist in an equilibrium of several conformations arising from restricted rotation around the Ind–Qx bonds (ca. C2 symmetrical and nonsymmetrical forms). The population of the forms and exchange rate between them depends strongly on the spacer type (length).