Three-component domino process for the pyrrolizine skeleton via [3 + 2]-cycloaddition-enamine cyclization triggered by a gold catalyst.

Pyrrolizines are bicyclic fused azaheterocycles with a bridgehead nitrogen contained in a core skeleton and are often found in biologically active compounds. Despite their importance, there have been few reports on concise and flexible syntheses of pyrrolizines. A novel one-pot, convergent method is described for pyrrolizines by simple mixing of iminoesters, acetylenes, and dipolarophiles in the presence of a cationic gold catalyst and an acid additive. This domino process affords multisubstituted pyrrolizines without handling unstable intermediates.