Asymmetric Heck cyclization route to indolizidine and azaazulene alkaloids: synthesis of (+)-5-epiindolizidine 167B and indolizidine 223AB

Asymmetric intramolecular Heck cyclization of endocyclic enamides occurs at room temperature to give indoloizidine and azaazulene ring systems in up to 86% enantiomeric excess. A synthesis of (+)-epiindolizidine 167B and formal synthesis of 5E,9Z-indolizidine 223AB is described.