Abstract
Synthesis of novel pyrroloisoquinoline and indolizinoindole derivatives with beta-lactam unit has been achieved by sequential intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction and Pictet-Spengler cyclization. The azomethine ylide derived from beta-lactam imine of alpha-amino ester in the presence of silver acetate reacted with nitrostyrenes to give pyrrolidinyl beta-lactam, which underwent Pictet-Spengler cyclization in presence of trifluoroacetic acid to give pyrroloisoquinolines and indolizinoindoles. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.