Parham-type cycliacylation with Weinreb amides. Application to the synthesis of fused indolizinone systems

[reaction: see text] Weinreb amides behave as efficient internal electrophiles in Parham-type cycliacylation reactions. Thus, aryl- and heteroaryllithiums generated by lithium-halogen exchange undergo intramolecular cyclization to give fused indolizinone systems as pyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinolines, thieno[2,3-f]indolizinones, and pyrrolo[1,2-b]acridinones in high yields.