Copper(II)-Catalyzed Cleavage of Carbon—Carbon Triple Bond to Synthesize 1,2,3-Triesterindolizines.

An efficient Cu(II)-catalyzed carbon–carbon triple bond cleavage protocol for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triesterindolizines via the reaction of pyridines with butynedioates has been developed. This reaction has perfect atom economy and both fragments from the cleaved alkyne are successively incorporated into the products.