Synthesis of Azabicycles via Cascade Aza-Prins Reactions: Accessing the Indolizidine and Quinolizidine Cores

The first detailed studies of intramolecular aza-Prins and aza-silyl-Prins reactions, starting from acyclic materials, are reported. The methods allow rapid and flexible access toward an array of [6,5] and [6,6] aza-bicycles, which form the core skeletons of various alkaloids. On the basis of our findings on the aza-Prins and aza-silyl-Prins cyclizations, herein we present simple protocols for the intramolecular preparation of the azabicyclic cores of the indolizidines and quinolizidines using a one-pot cascade process of N-acyliminium ion formation followed by aza-Prins cyclization and either elimination or carbocation trapping. It is possible to introduce a range of different substituents into the heterocycles through a judicial choice of Lewis acid and solvent(s), with halo-, phenyl-, and amido-substituted azabicyclic products all being accessed through these highly diastereoselective processes.