Accessing the Ene-Imine Motif in 1H-Isoindole, Thienopyrrole, and Thienopyridine Building Blocks.

A pathway to a range of diverse heterocycles was developed using a nucleophilic cyclization strategy. Lactams and ene-imines are accessed in a few steps from a common precursor, and these moieties are further elaborated to directly provide pyrroles or pyridines with extended conjugation. Reaction conditions are mild, and a broad range of structural types are available within a few steps.