Iron-Catalysed C-3 Functionalisation of Indolizines via C–H Bond Cleavage

The synthesis of 3,3'-(arylmethylene)diindolizine with a FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O catalyst has been achieved with excellent efficiency at room temperature. Various indolizines were prepared by the reaction with either aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes to produce di- or triheteroarylmethanes.