Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in phenolic amides enables direct synthesis of indolizines

Key Points

• The study aims to explore how intramolecular hydrogen bonding in phenolic amides affects the synthesis of indolizines.
• Synthesize indolizines through [(5+1)−1] cyclization of chloroacetamides with zwitterionic thiolates.
• Utilize DFT calculations to support theoretical aspects of the synthesis process.
• Intramolecular hydrogen bonding significantly enhances carbonyl activation.
• α-CH2 reactivity is improved, facilitating the synthesis of indolizines.