Acid‐catalyzed reactions of 1‐ and 3‐(α‐hydroxybenzyl)indolizines

Abstract Treatment of 1‐(α‐hydroxybenzyl)‐ and 3‐(α‐hydroxybenzyl)indolizines with trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane gave phenylbis(α‐indolizinyl)methanes, bis[α‐(indolizinyl)benzyl] ethers and indolizines, depending upon the presence or absence of the substituent at the 2‐ or 5‐position and the reaction conditions used.